Police: Gremlin is longshot in solving 70's child killer cases, but one worth looking into

Blue Gremlin found is same description as car in Oakland County Child Killer case

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A construction dig in Grand Blanc Township has unearthed a load of car pieces -- including some that match the description of a car linked to the Oakland County Child Killer case.

A blue Gremlin with a white stripe has been found on a construction site inside the Grand Reserve neighborhood off Baldwin Road -- near the residential intersection of Del Webb Boulevard and Prairie Dunes Drive.

A blue Gremlin with a white stripe was the description of a car that was linked to Oakland County Child Killer victim Timothy King's abduction.

The discovery of the Gremlin brings little hope to investigators looking for the child killer as they have long thought the Gremlin was a bad tip that somehow stuck in the public's memory.

The so-called Oakland County Child Killer has eluded an identity since four children -- Mark Stebbins, 12, Jill Robinson, 12, Kristine Mihelich, 10, and Timothy King,11 - were kidnapped and found dead between 1976 and 1977.

SPECIAL SECTION: Oakland County Child Killer case

Mike Stebbins brother Mark was the first of four victims abducted and killed in the late 70s by the child killer.

He says he saw plenty of good leads over the years turn out to be nothing he remains optimistic that the killer would be caught one day and is grateful police continue to investigate.

The Oakland County child killer task force is on site and they are looking for a VIN number to find out who owned the Gremlin.

They're gathering any DNA evidence if possible.

It's a longshot in solving the case, but police say it's one worth taking

Police said they haven't made any positive connection to the case, or any other open cases, but continue to investigate.

Investigators were tipped off to the area, which is former farmland, on Monday night.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard released a statement Tuesday afternoon on developments from the Oakland County Child Killer Task Force.

"All of the current Task Force members who worked this case from the beginning, including me as a rookie patrol officer, have a deep desire to bring this case to a close for the victims and their families," Bouchard said. "The State Police and all of our local partners as well as the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office, remain committed to that goal. We will continue to actively investigate and pursue any potential leads. The Task Forces recognizes there have been a lot of high hopes dashed when leads have not come to fruition in the past. If anything further develops, the Task Force certainly will make the public aware."