Missing Person in St. Joseph River

DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT: Update 7/22/18 at 15:00

TYPE OF INCIDENT: Missing Person

LOCATION OF INCIDENT: Saint Joseph River near Jasper Dairy Boat Launch,

Royalton Twp.

AGENCIES INVOLVED: Berrien County Sheriff Marine, Dive teams, MI DNR, Victim

Service Unit, Berrien County Sheriff Chaplains, Great Lakes Drone Company.

NARRATIVE: The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Dive team and Marine Division searched

the Saint Joseph River near Jasper Dairy Road where witnesses reported last seeing Michael Scott

(35) of Kalamazoo. Scott has been missing since 7/21/18 while canoeing with friends.

An advanced aerial drone was used in the search today along with an underwater drone. The Berrien

County Sheriff’s Dive team also searched the water. The search was considered high risk due to high

water, fast flowing water and debris. Underwater visibility was low.

The search will continue on 7/23/18. Michael Scott is considered missing. An update will provided

when new information is available.

Narrative Update: On 7-23-18 at 2227 the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office was notified that some bow fisherman had located a body in the Saint Joseph River near the Jasper Dairy boat ramp.  The bow fisherman were in a boat that had numerous high-power lights. These lights are designed to look deep into the water for fish.  

The Berrien County Sheriff’s Marine Division arrived on scene and were guided to the body by the bow fisherman.  The body was located approximately 200 yards south of Jasper Dairy boat ramp, partially visible above the water, in a tangle of trees and debris.   The body was recovered, taken to shore, and transported by Medic 1 ambulance to the morgue at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.  The body of a white male matched the description and is believed to be Michael Scott (who went missing while canoeing with friends on 7/21/18).

The body will be taken to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo to confirm identity    and for cause of death.