ALLEGAN, Mich. – The body found in in West Michigan on Tuesday is that of Theresa Lockhart, who was reported missing more than five months ago, WOODTV reports.
In a Wednesday afternoon press conference, Portage Department of Public Safety Director Nicholas Armold said that after Christopher Lockhart, the main person of interest in the disappearance of his wife, was found dead of an apparent suicide Tuesday, officers found a note in which Lockhart confessed to killing his wife and leaving her body in the state game area.
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Here's more from WOODTV:
Allegan County Undersheriff Michael Larsen said earlier Wednesday that the body was found partially buried near Swan Creek Marsh in Valley Township, west of Allegan. That’s about an hour drive northwest of the Lockharts’ home.
“It appears as though at one point it was probably fully buried,” Larsen said, “but due to the immense rain that we’ve had lately and the fact that it was shallow, it was partially uncovered.”
The body, which was heavily decomposed, was sent to Western Michigan University for an autopsy to determine the identity and cause of death. There were no signs of stab or gunshot wounds.
Theresa Lockhart was last seen May 18. She was reported missing two days later by her employer. Christopher Lockhart was the main person of interest in his wife’s disappearance.
Christopher Lockhart’s body was discovered in the basement of his home by officers who were conducting a welfare check after he had missed a parole appointment and his electronic tether showed no movement for some time. Authorities say an autopsy found he died of strangulation.