Danielle Stislicki missing case: Hines Park search underway

Police search park in Livonia for missing 28-year-old woman

Danielle Stislicki

LIVONIA, Mich. – Police are searching Hines Park in Livonia in connection to the missing case of 28-year-old Danielle Stislicki.

UPDATEPolice end Wednesday's search at Hines Park for Danielle Stislicki

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Law enforcement, including the FBI, Farmington Hills police, Livonia police and Michigan State police, are conducting a search Wednesday centered around the area of Hines Drive and Newburgh Road. Cadaver dogs are joining several law enforcement agencies in the search. Police are asking for anyone at the park to be watchful for signs of Stislicki's remains. Hines Drive is closed to traffic between Newburgh and Stark roads. 

Watch live video and coverage above.

More than 100 investigators from 20 different agencies are searching along with 14 cadaver dogs. 

"Law enforcement authorities have expressed since day one that Danielle Stislicki was a victim of a crime," said Farmington Hills Police Chief Chuck Nebus. "The facts of the case lead us to believe she is not alive. Several air, land, and water searches have been conducted at various places throughout the investigation. Hines Park is being searched as the result of a recent Livonia and Farmington Hills joint investigation. This investigation has led to criminal charges in Livonia against Floyd Galloway, a 30-year-old resident of Berkley. Because the Livonia incident occurred in Hines Park, it is a location that requires searching. There is no specific information or evidence that leads us to believe Danielle’s remains are in the park."

Stislicki, of Farmington Hills, has been missing since Dec. 2, 2016. She left her job at MetLife in Southfield that day and was supposed to meet a friend for dinner. However, she never showed up for dinner and has not been seen or heard from since. 

Timeline: Danielle Stislicki missing case

Her Jeep Renegade was found the next day parked outside her apartment on Halsted Road near Grand River Avenue in Farmington Hills. Police said her purse was still in the Jeep, but it's unclear if Stislicki or someone else parked it outside the apartment complex.

What police are searching for in Hines Park

Police are looking for any signs of Stislicki's remains at Hines Park. They are searching for items such as a suitcase, trunk, luggage, bags, her blue Eddie Bauer 3-in-1 jacket, a black zip up, jeans and a pair of burgundy boots.

Tan striped comforter

Moreover, police are searching for a tan and brown striped comforter. Investigators believe Stislicki's body could have been wrapped in the comforter. When asked for more details about the comforter, police would not comment. 

Law enforcement has searched various locations since Stislicki first went missing. More than a dozen searches have been conducted in woods, parks, and at bodies of water. Police said she is the victim of foul play and do not believe she will be found alive. She is not considered a victim of human trafficking -- it is not a factor in this case, police said. 

Police do not have specific evidence which leads them to believe they will find Stislicki in Hines Park, but they have to search the area because it's where a person of interest in Stislicki's case allegedly was involved in an attack on a jogger. 

It's not clear how long Wednesday's search will last. Police said the duration of the search depends on the weather and when the dogs get tired. 

Man charged in Hines Park attack named person of interest in Stislicki case

Floyd Russell Galloway, 30, is charged with kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct with intent to commit penetration, and assault with intent do great bodily harm by strangulation in connection to the attack on Sept 4, 2016. He also is being called a person of interest in Stislicki's missing case. Galloway is the former security guard at Stislicki's office who lives at the Berkley home which was searched weeks after Stislicki went missing.

Back on Sept 4, a 28-year-old woman told officers that a man wrapped his arms around her neck and struck her on the side of her face when she was jogging in Hines Park. She struggled with the attacker as he attempted to drag her toward the Rouge River. Police said the man attempted to remove her clothing and told her that he wanted to have sex with her.

The victim was able to fight off the man and run away. She flagged down a motorist and used his phone to call police.

Galloway was arraigned June 28 and is being held on a $750,000 bond.

Allen Park police investigate similarities

Moreover, police are investigating whether Galloway is linked to an Allen Park sexual assault case from June 10, 2017. Allen Park police believe the cases could be connected due to the similarities between sketches made based on descriptions from the victims.

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About the Authors

Karen Drew is the anchor of Local 4 News First at 4, weekdays at 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. She is also an award-winning investigative reporter.

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