BARRY COUNTY, Mich. – A well-known Michigan attorney was found dead after he went missing and state police performed a long search.
Michigan State Police announced this week that they ended the search for Michael Hodge, 76, of Delton, after his body was found Nov. 14, 2024.
Hodge was found during an extensive K9 search, they said.
“The MSP would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Hodge’s family, friends, and all those who knew him,” state police said. “This is truly the most unfortunate outcome for us all. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude for the hundreds of volunteers, partners, and other law enforcement resources from near and far that assisted in searching for Mr. Hodge over the past several days.”
Hodge’s daughter, Meghan Hodge Groen, also thanked the public for their help 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.”
The attorney was last seen on Friday, Nov. 8, and state police asked the public for assistance on Nov. 10 as they searched for him.
As the search was ongoing, Hodge’s daughter 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.
State police didn’t give any details about where Hodge was found.
Hodge was a prominent attorney who spent decades working at Miller Canfield. He had a background in governmental, labor and commercial litigation, according to Miller Canfield’s website, and handled election law matters. Hodge also worked as former Gov. James Blanchard’s legal advisor from 1987 to 1990, according to his LinkedIn page.
