Groveland Twp.- The remains of a man found in a wooded area in the township have been positively identified as those of Timothy Robert Burch, a Brandon Township man who was missing for nearly three months.
According to police reports, two squirrel hunters found the remains at about 2 p.m. on September 26 in an area off Jossman Road, and dental records confirmed it was Burch.
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Pete Burkett said an autopsy concluded the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
‘This is very unfortunate for his immediate family and siblings,? said Burkett. ‘There was nothing suspicious about his death or the circumstances surrounding it.?
Burch, 54, disappeared some time between June 24 and July 2 from his home in the 1800 block of Lake Pointe. He left behind a note indicating he would not be found. Burkett said OCSO Detective Ken Alderman painstakingly worked the case and followed all leads, but the case dried up.
On Aug. 29, an employee of Simms Chevrolet found Burch’s 2005 Chevy Silverado truck in the rear parking lot of the business. It is unclear how long the truck was there. Hundreds of heavily wooded acres behind the dealership were searched for three days by deputies, a police helicopter and search dogs, to no avail.
Burkett said hunting season resolves many of these types of cases, as it did here.
‘The family now has closure at least, rather than to wonder what happened,? he said.