ROTHBURY, Mich. – Kevin Graves’ remains were found more than six years after he vanished from a music festival in Michigan.
His remains were discovered on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in a “wooded area” near Rothbury, Michigan. Forensic anthropologists from Western Michigan University used dental records to confirm his identity.
His sister, Kellie Graves told WOOD-TV on Thursday that while “the closure feels good,” it also means the family has lost the hope that he might return home someday. She said, “it’s very sad and my parents are really struggling.”
She told WOOD-TV that his wallet and phone were found near his remains, which brings up more questions.
“My question is where was this six years ago when we said he didn’t just run away? I mean they could have pulled phone records they could’ve pinged his phone. We would not have had to wait 6.5 years for this and it’s really frustrating,” Kellie Graves said.
Kellie Graves also told WOOD-TV that she wants her brother to be remembered for his positive spirit and personality.
“He was pretty happy-go-lucky, he was just extremely sweet, well mannered . . . He had the biggest heart,” Kellie Graves said. “I just want them to remember him for his kind spirit and his smile, I am going to miss his smile.”
Cause of death
Investigators have not determined the cause of his death but said there is no indication of foul play. Confirming the cause of death may take several months, according to police.
Kevin Graves’ disappearance
Kevin Graves, from Highland Township, had been missing since July 1, 2018, after taking a trip with his girlfriend to Rothbury for the Electric Forest music festival.
At the time of his disappearance, police and dozens of volunteers were involved in a search of the festival grounds. Police used dogs to assist in the search and divers checked area lakes.
In 2019, his family handed out missing persons flyers during the festival. In 2023, Graves’ family put a billboard up with his picture, urging festival visitors to call police with any tips.
Timeline of disappearance
The Electric Forest music festival took place over two weekends in 2018. The first weekend was June 21 - 24 and the second was June 28 - July 1, 2018. Kevin Graves and his girlfriend attended the second weekend of the festival.
“I knew there would be drugs and stuff up there,” Gary Graves, Kevin Graves’ father, told Local 4 in 2019. “I told him, you know, ‘Be careful. Don’t get yourself hooked up on something that you’re going to regret.’ He said, ‘No, I’m just going to go up there and have a good time, dad.’”
That conversation was the last time Gary Graves saw his son alive.
On Wednesday, June 27, 2018, Kevin Graves and his girlfriend arrived in Rothbury. On Sunday, July 1, 2018, Kevin Graves’ girlfriend called his family to let them know she could not find him.
“His girlfriend calls and says, ‘I can’t find Kevin,’” Cathleen Graves, Kevin Graves’ mother, told Local 4 in 2019. “I said, ‘What do you mean you can’t find Kevin?’ Apparently, they got into some argument, according to the people that were there. I think he saw something. That’s my gut -- and it upset him so much that he just walked away.”
In 2019, Gary Graves described the last text he received from his son on the day he went missing:
“All it said was, ‘Dad, I love you for your service. I love you and someday I will pay you back everything I owe you,’” Gary Graves said. “That was the last thing I heard from him. I texted him back and I never got any answers back.”
“I texted him,” Cathleen Graves told Local 4 in 2019. “I was a little worried, and I said, ‘Are you having a good time?’ He texted me back with the word, ‘Nothing.’ So that got me a little concerned, and then I texted back, ‘Are you OK?’ ‘Nothing’ is what he texted back, and that was it.
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Father talks case 5 years after son goes missing
The video below is an interview with Kevin Graves’ father from June 2023.