MONROE, Mich., June 5 (UPI) -- A body discovered in a shallow grave in Monroe County, Mich., may be the remains of missing 5-year-old Neveah Buchanan, authorities said.
Monroe County Sheriff Tilman Crutchfield said the body found by fishermen near the Raisin River Thursday has been tentatively identified as Buchanan, leading police to search for the individual responsible for the young girl's death, The Detroit News reported Friday.
"It was determined by their (investigators') observation that it was a possible burial site," Crutchfield said. "The body in appearance seemed to be in age, size and sex that of Neveah."
FBI Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena said the burial site has become the focus of the missing person case, which has involved 100 officials from local, state and federal agencies.
Buchanan has been missing from her Monroe apartment complex since May 24 and all efforts to locate the child proved fruitless until Thursday's discovery.
Meanwhile, Crutchfield told the Detroit News authorities suspect the individual behind Buchanan's disappearance may still be in the area.
"That person to our knowledge is still out there in our community," he said.
