DETROIT – A 36-year-old Detroit woman is missing following a reported domestic violence incident at her home late last month, and a police sergeant has been placed on administrative duty amid questions about the response, authorities said.
The Detroit Police Department said officers responded March 27 to a home in the 2700 block of Webb Street for a report of a fight involving Caitlin Tressler and her ex-boyfriend.
Investigators say the encounter is believed to be the last time Tressler was seen.
Tressler was reported missing on April 2.
Police have identified her ex-boyfriend as a person of interest in the case.
Authorities said he has a lengthy criminal history in Virginia, including prior charges of robbery, grand larceny, assault, and firearm-related offenses.
According to police and sources familiar with the investigation, the supervising sergeant at the scene did not enter the home despite reports that the man may have been armed with a knife.
Two additional officers were present.
Department officials later determined the sergeant, as the highest-ranking officer on scene, should have entered.
The sergeant has since been reassigned to administrative duties pending review.
Friends say they are deeply concerned for Tressler’s safety.
“She makes everything fun. She’s very domestic. She loves being at home, cooking, cleaning, being a mom,” said Elisha Georgiades, a friend.
Georgiades said Tressler had recently moved to Detroit from Charlottesville to get away from the man, whom she described as abusive.
She added that the two had been in a relationship for about 18 months.
Neighbors reported the March 27 disturbance, Georgiades said, and police initially cleared the scene after speaking with both individuals.
She said Tressler has not been seen since.
Georgiades said Tressler has a young son and expressed hope that someone may have seen something that could help investigators.
“My only hope is that she’s still alive,” Georgiades said. “Anything can help.”
Tressler is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall, about 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detroit police Commander Rebecca McKay at 313-596-2260 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.