April Millsap's grandfather: Let's get some closure

Armada teen's killing remains mystery, but police have person of interest in custody

ARMADA, Mich. – It's been almost a month since 14-year-old April Millsap was killed.

Now, police are pursuing charges against 32-year-old James Vancallis. He's been in police custody for three weeks.

Investigators were back at his home in Goodells on Monday with a second search warrant.

"We're hoping and praying that the best comes out of this," said April's grandfather, Dennis Levans. "Let's get some closure, because sometimes these things go on for way too long, and peoples' hearts are left broken and uncertain."

Since her death, the entire town of Armada has been covered in pink ribbons, April's favorite color.

"That felt good to see the peoples' memorials that they did for her and the one tree they planted out by her middle school, and just to see the school that she went to, the elementary school, the middle school that she attended, and the high school that she would have attended. That was really a tough one there," said Levans.

April's mother, Jennifer Millsap, was surrounded by friends and family at her daughter's funeral earlier this month. They say the community's support has been overwhelming.

"They've done so much in their efforts for Jennifer and April. It's wonderful to see that from a small-town community," said Levans.

The broken-hearted grandfather holds onto precious memories of his special girl.

"I moved down to Florida and I always made sure she came down and visited me and we got one trip to Disney World of course, you know. She's very special," he said.

Police have investigated 800 tips since joggers found the 14-year-old's body July 24 in a drainage ditch along the Macomb Orchard Trail in Armada.

[Timeline] April Milsap homicide investigation


About the Author:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism