Missing Oakland County Woman Found Dead In MI River: Sheriff

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, MI — Officials pulled the body of a missing Oakland County woman from a river in southeastern Michigan on Monday, according to sheriff's officials.

Juanita Clowney, 76, of Madison Heights was found dead inside her vehicle that was submerged in the St. Clair River's North Channel, officials said.

Clowney was last seen by her family on Nov. 2 in Detroit. She was later seen driving a blue Chevrolet Trailblazer in Clay Township in St. Clair County roughly six hours later, officials said.

Investigators began searching the area using data from Clowney's cellphone and believe she may have gone into the water near the Algonac Boat Launch. Dive teams then used sonar to search the area and eventually found a car submerged in the water, close to where her cellphone was last pinged, officials said.

Dive crews brought Clowney and the SUV to the surface and removed her and the car from the water, officials said.

No cause of death was given pending an autopsy, officials said.

"Excellent work by the St. Clair County Marine Division, Dive Team, and Detectives for their persistence in locating the missing female," St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said. "I greatly appreciate the assistance from other departments in these situations. The ability to share knowledge, personnel, and resources ensures the best service is provided to the community, regardless of location."

Officials were still investigating the incident.

Police asked anyone with information about the incident to call Madison Heights police detective Spencer at 248-837-2733 or the department at 248-585-2100.