LIVONIA, Mich. – Wednesday was an important day in the case of Danielle Stislicki's disappearance, as more than 150 police officers and FBI agents searched Hines Park in Livonia for a sign of the missing 28-year-old woman.
The search marked the biggest break in the case since Floyd Galloway was named a person of interest in her disappearance after being arrested in connection with the sexual assault of a jogger.
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Here's everything we learned during Wednesday's search.
Stislicki not expected to be found alive
As police and FBI agents searched Hines Park for any sign of Stislicki, Farmington Hills Police Chief Chuck Nebus said they do not believe she will be found alive.
Stislicki has been missing since Dec. 2, 2016. She left work in Southfield that day and was supposed to meet a friend. She never showed up to dinner and has not been seen or heard from since.
Her Jeep Renegade was found the next day parked outside her apartment on Halsted Road near Grand River Avenue in Farmington Hills. Police said her purse was still in the Jeep, but it's unclear if Stislicki or someone else parked it outside the apartment complex.
"Law enforcement authorities have expressed since day one that Danielle Stislicki was a victim of a crime," said Farmington Hills Police Chief Chuck Nebus. "The facts of the case lead us to believe she is not alive. Several air, land, and water searches have been conducted at various places throughout the investigation. Hines Park is being searched as the result of a recent Livonia and Farmington Hills joint investigation. This investigation has led to criminal charges in Livonia against Floyd Galloway, a 30-year-old resident of Berkley. Because the Livonia incident occurred in Hines Park, it is a location that requires searching. There is no specific information or evidence that leads us to believe Danielle’s remains are in the park."
Why search Hines Park?
Why do experts believe Hines Park in Livonia needed to be searched in connection with Stislicki's disappearance?
The massive search area was east of Newburgh Road, where investigators said Galloway is accused of attacking a jogger last fall. Galloway was arrested June 27 and accused of wrapping his arms around her neck and struck her on the side of her face. She struggled as he attempted to drag her toward the Rouge River.
Police said Galloway attempted to remove her clothing and told her that he wanted to have sex with her.
FBI profilers said predators often return to the same area of a prior crime, which prompted officials to search Hines Park in the area where the jogger was attacked.
Search ends without a discovery
Police and FBI agents ended Wednesday's search around 3 p.m. without making any discoveries in the case.
Officials said 155 law enforcement officials used 14 K-9 units, cadaver dogs and metal detectors to look for evidence connected to Stislicki's disappearance.
They said nothing was found, and no further search is planned at Hines Park.
Police weren't just looking for human remains. They were searching for a key new piece of evidence: a tan- and brown-striped comforter. Investigators believe Stislicki's body may have been wrapped in that comforter.
"We can't tell you why or how that fits with the case, but yes, that is something new we added to the case today -- this tan, striped comforter," Nebus said.
Investigators also are searching for a blue Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 jacket, jeans, burgundy boots and a black zip-up shirt.
Stislicki's parents respond to developments
After the intensive search and Nebus' declaration that Stislicki is not expected to be found alive, her parents released a statement.
"We would like to thank all of the law enforcement agencies and volunteers that participated in today's search," Rich Stislicki, Danielle Stislicki's father, said in a statement. "We know their efforts one day will bring justice to our family and Danielle."
Local 4 Defender Karen Drew spoke with the Stislickis Wednesday as the latest developments in the case unfolded.
With the information so fresh, Stislicki's parents couldn't do a full interview, but they said they will keep fighting as more searches for their daughter continue.
The Stislickis have been active in the community since their daughter's disappearance, helping families of other people who have gone missing.