BARRY COUNTY, Mich. – The body of a prominent attorney on Michigan’s west side has been found after a large-scale police search.
Michael Hodge, a 76-year-old from Barry County, was last seen Nov. 8. His body was found nearly a week later during a search by Michigan State Police K-9 units on Nov. 14.
Who was Michael Hodge?
Hodge was a prominent attorney who spent decades working at the Lansing office of Miller Canfield. He had a background in governmental, labor and commercial litigation, according to Miller Canfield’s website, and handled election law matters.
Miller Canfield CEO Mike Palizzi called Hodge “an exceptionally talented lawyer, trust counselor, and a committed mentor and friend.”
“Mike’s brilliance as a quick-witted orator and legal strategist in court were memorable and unmatched,” Eldridge wrote. “Mike was the rare example of being a feared legal adversary and beloved by opponents, and everyone else he encountered along the way. That’s no easy task. Mike Hodge will not just be missed; he will be remembered as one of Lansing’s best.”
Hodge began his legal career in 1975 at the State Affairs Division of the Attorney General’s office, progressing through roles in the Executive and Public Employment and Elections Divisions. He served as Assistant Attorney General before joining Miller Canfield in 1984, where he became a leading election law and government affairs attorney.
He would take a few years off from Miller Canfield from 1987 to 1990 to work as then Gov. James Blanchard’s legal advisor.
While he was retired, Palizzi said Hodge remained involved in Miller Canfield and was a trusted resource who helped out many of their attornies.
Reported missing, search parties
Michigan State Police asked for the public’s help locating Hodge on Nov. 10, two days after he was last seen. He was reported missing out of Delton, a small community about halfway between Kalamazoo and Hastings, just north of the border between Barry and Kalamazoo counties.
Hodge’s daughter, Meghan Hodge Groen, said in a Facebook post that her father had “some degree of dementia” and would often go for walks, but was never gone for very long.
WOODTV in Grand Rapids reported that a caretaker saw him before he went missing, but they did not notice anything strange about his behavior.
In addition to Michigan State Police’s aviation, marine and K-9 units, community members formed their own search parties in an effort to find Hodge.
The discovery, community response
After an extensive search, Hodge’s body was found by Michigan State Police K-9 units.
Police did not release any details about where Hodge was found or how he died.
Hodge’s daughter also thanked the public for their help in searching for her father.
“We are truly grateful for the friends, volunteers, media outlets and police officers who worked together to help locate my father,” said Groen in a post on Facebook. “The outpouring of love, concern and support is a testament to the special way my father connected with people and touched so many lives in his professional capacity, as a friend, and as a loving father and grandfather. We hope people will remember his incredible sense of humor, intelligence, charm, warmth and uncanny ability to connect with people. We miss him dearly and our hearts are broken. THANK YOU all for your support, love and prayers.”
