Officials resume dig in Macomb Township where several bodies could be buried

Authorities seek clues in at least 3 cold cases, maybe more

MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Digging resumed Tuesday in Macomb Township as authorities search for clues in several cold cases dating back to the 1970s. 

Crews returned to work at about 7 a.m. for a second day of digging on a property near 23 Mile Road and North Avenue. The area is wooded and situated along the North Branch Clinton River. 

Officials said they expect to find something Tuesday. They believe as many as six bodies could be buried in the same location. 

Cindy Zarzycki

The search is in the same area where the remains of Cindy Zarzycki were found after her killer led investigators to the spot. Arthur Ream killed Zarzycki when she was just 13 years old in 1986. 

Ream revealed the spot where he buried Zarzycki during interviews in 2008. He was already in prison for raping a 15-year-old girl when investigators got him to describe how and where he buried the girl two decades before. 

Arthur Nelson Ream in 2017 (Michigan Department of Corrections)

Now authorities are working in that same area in connection to three other cold cases that may be connected to Ream:

  • The case of 12-year-old Kimberly King, from Warren, who disappeared in 1979
  • The disappearance of Kellie Brownlee, from Novi, when she was 17 in 1982
  • The case of Kim Larrow, who disappeared from Canton Township in 1981, when she was 15
  • The case of Nadine O'Dell, from Inkster, when she was 16 in 1974
  • The disappearance of Cynthia Coon, from Washtenaw County, when she was 13 in 1970

Their remains could be buried along this wooded riverbank in Macomb Township.

The case of Nadine O'Dell:

Here are pictures of the other women possibly connected to the search:

Kimberly King, Kellie Brownlee and Kim Larrow
Cynthia Coon when she was last seen (left) and an age progression photo to 59 years old (right).

Police sources told Local 4 they are positive Ream is responsible for other crimes, but they aren't certain he's responsible for the disappearances of these girls. 

On Monday, after gaining a search warrant, a team from the Warren Police Department, the Macomb County Sheriff's Office and the FBI returned to the site with the equipment necessary to do a major dig. They planned to be back at work Tuesday morning. 


About the Authors

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.

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