Michigan State Police: Search suspended after report of woman underwater near Belle Isle

Family says missing woman is Destani Smith

DETROIT – Michigan State Police are searching for a 26-year-old woman near Detroit's Belle Isle.

MSP tweeted Saturday afternoon saying they received a call at 3:30 p.m. of a woman underwater near Belle Isle.

Family said the missing woman is Destani Smith.

Destani Smith

Multiple agencies searched Belle Isle for hours looking for Smith.

"We're just waiting on any update any news," said Tineisha Taylor, Smith's sister.

Smith was on a boat with friends when she jumped off to go swimming and hasn't been seen since.

"We're devastated. You don't wake up on a Saturday imagining that at the end of the day that you'll have news that someone in your family is missing and may not be coming home," Taylor said.

She said Smith came to Belle Isle on July 4 and was invited back again Saturday.

"This isn't her boat. It's a friend of hers, from what I understand. He's an experienced swimmer, and I think she felt secure being with him," Taylor said.

Family and friends gathered along the shoreline well into Saturday evening, staying as strong as they can for Smith.

"She was, she is very well loved. She has brothers that love her. She has a large family. We love her, and we are still hoping for the best," Taylor said. "We are people of faith, and what we do know is that life and death is in the hands of God, and our trust and faith is in him, so that's never wavering."

Funeral is Saturday, July 28

Smith's family is holding a celebration funeral service on Saturday, July 28. Here are the service details, starting with a public visitation on Friday, July 27: 

Public visitation

  • 3-8 p.m. Friday, July 27 at Clora Funeral Home-Detroit West (18957 W. Warren Ave., Detroit, MI)

Family hour

  • 10 a.m. Saturday, July 28 at Greater Seth Temple Sanctuary of Praise (28125 Grand River, Farmington Hills, MI)

Celebration service 

  • 11 a.m. Saturday, July 28 at Greater Seth Temple Sanctuary of Praise (28125 Grand River, Farmington Hills, MI)

About the Authors:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

Koco joined the Local 4 News team in September of 2016. She was born and raised in Metro Detroit, attended Central Michigan University, and previously worked at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.