OWOSSO - The body of a missing Owosso man was found Sunday night about a mile southeast of his home.
Alzheimer's disease patient John A. Tierney, 78, had been missing from his Woodland Drive home since July 14.
Tierney's body was found in a bean field just off the east end of the runway at Owosso Airport at approximately 7:40 p.m. Sunday. A volunteer helicopter pilot spotted the body and ground searchers approached to confirm it was a body.
The area is approximately one mile southeast from his home on Woodland Drive in the Gould Woods Subdivision.
Tierney's cause of death was not known as of press time. An autopsy will be performed at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing by the Shiawassee County medical examiner, according to Michigan State Police.
Shiawassee County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue team leader Ron Adkins said the team extended its search for the third time in the past week after the dog Tierney left home with - a German shepherd mix that answers to the name “Buddy” - was found Sunday morning, Adkins said.
The dog was spotted by customers at the Corunna Meijer at about 9 a.m.
“The Meijer's security chased it down the parking lot, captured it and called the state police,” Adkins said.
Tierney's wife Carol said Meijer employees brought out food and water for the dog.
“Since he had been gone since Monday, I was sure that we wouldn't find him. It was good that they found the body. My reaction was, ‘How bad was he?'” Carol Tierney said. “He looked very peaceful. He had his arms across his chest and was looking up at the sky.”
Carol Tierney said she felt throughout the search her husband was most likely dead, but kept holding onto a “glimmer of hope.”
She said the discovery of the body has helped the family - and herself - gain some closure.
“There is closure for all the family now. And, of course, I miss him terribly but I have to go on,” she said.
She also wanted to thank everyone who was supportive and helped in the search effort.
“How on Earth do I go about thanking the hundreds of people? I don't even know all of them...Saying thank you to everyone doesn't seem like enough,” Carol said. “They spent days and nights out looking and searching...How do you thank them for staying on the trail when it was raining, thundering and lightning?”
The search and rescue team had focused its efforts in the area surrounding Hopkins Lake after a woman said July 16 she talked to Tierney in the area July 14.
The formal search was called off Friday afternoon.
Hopkins Lake is about 2 1/2 miles southwest of the field where Tierney's body was discovered.
- Argus-Press Staff Writers Michael Peterson and Nathan Bruttell and Argus-Press Editor Dick Campbell contributed to this report.
SLY wrote on Jul 24, 2008 4:10 PM:
" I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE MAN,AND IT BROKE MY HEART. I HAVE ONLY ONE QUESTION,HOW DID HE EVEN GET OUT OF THE HOUSE,A PERSON WITH MILD TO SEVERE Alzheimer's disease SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE 24 HOUR CARE. THAT CARE DOES NOT COUNT, IF SLEEPING WAS THE CASE. THERE WAS WAYS TO PERVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING.MAY GOD BLESS HIM. "
Jules wrote on Jul 23, 2008 2:15 PM:
" There was nothing that stated the search was stopped before the dog was found, only that the team extended it after that time. The information supplied by the woman was standard as part of the gathering process, and would have been searched by part of the team while other leads were also followed, based on information the team had available. If you have ever trained for SAR you would understand this. Thankfully they located John to provide closure for the family. "
jules wrote on Jul 23, 2008 2:10 PM:
" In any SAR operation, there will be information that will lead to areas other than the location of the individual. There is no reason to assume the woman who provided information about John by the lake was just a change to gain fame, it is possible that he was at that location at some time, and the information would have to be followed up on, except the entire team would not be directed to that location as there are many different ways a team gains information about search locations. This individual did nothing differently than anyone else would have. The article does not state the search was called off at any point before John was found, only that it was extended after finding the dog, there is a difference in these statements. When a person understands what happens in a SAR situation, they better understand what is stated in the media. "
karen wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:19 PM:
" I want to first off say "God Bless You" to the family members of Mr.John Tierney,what a strong and loving family you are.I also want to say "God Bless You" to the Shiawassee County Sheriffs' Posse...Shiawassee County Search and Rescue team and all other civilian searchers that gave of their time,hearts and love to search for Mr. Tierney.As a searcher myself I know it was not an easy job and the outcome wasn't what our hearts desired,but because of all the teamwork from all of you and more, the family now has closure. "
lmblexis wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:10 PM:
" I just want to say that it's people like Tina and Judy who make people not want to get involved. This kind of thing is not what the family needs! All who helped or tried to help...nobody did anything wrong...Thank you and God Bless you just for trying. Don't ever be afraid of what people will say. They wanted information from anyone who had any and they wanted anyone who would search to search. "
lmblexis wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:46 AM:
" I think that (that woman) did what she thought was right. Maybe she did see him and was doing what she thought was right in helping. Who are we to judge. Everyone was trying to help. I don't think they even announced a reward until after she contacted the authorities. I think there is a good chance that he was in the area and wandered back to where he was found. Again, who are we to judge anybody. What right do you have to call her a liar? There were others who claimed to have seen him also. Should they all be talked about the way Tina talks about (that woman?) I say thank you for trying to help and not everyone feels the same as Tina. I spent a lot of hours out looking myself. Did you do anything Tina? Or are you to busy playing judge & jury?
By the way...when I was out looking I didn't know there was a reward. I went out and looked after I saw all of the volunteers around my neighborhood. And yes, I went over towards Washington school and East looking. So, she didn't change my mind. She just made me want to go look for him. "
Chelsea C. wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:34 AM:
" I am so glad that your husband was found... On friday me and my mother-in-law went to hopkins lake to look for him and I told her that I wanted to walk down the McCurdy Park trail to go look for him and from my understanding he was found back there in the bean field... I really wanted to find him to stop the wondering for you... I knew he was back there I felt it and when they said where he was found I felt so good knowing that, that is where he was but felt bad at the same time not going back there to look... Please e-mail me back and tell me thank you or something.. I am so sorry for your loss, but I am glad you dont have to wonder anymore... "
Judy wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:12 PM:
" My son and friend was out there searching for your husband / father. They unfortunately searched the total area of Chestnut St area since he lives close however did also search the surrounding woods area including Rosevear Park and planned to go next to the area beyond your home and heard of Mr. Tierney's body being found, he feels very bad that he did not search that area first. We are very sorry for your loss and feel "that woman" indeed did lessen the chances of a quicker find. We believe that she should be held accountable as well.
May your husband find peace and happiness in heaven.
Judy
Judy "
steve t. wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:11 PM:
" forget politics! these searchers are there for you! I saw them walking in fields for hours . and i helped at collemer park. you whiners are pathetic "
Robert Challender wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:32 PM:
" My Thoughts and Prayers go out to the Tierney Family........
Rob Challender
Las Vegas, NV "
debbie wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:52 PM:
" Hats off to the searchers in returning Mr. Tierney home to his family! I never saw a group of people search like bloodhounds before!. They were there day after day and never stopped. As a searcher,I know how hard they worked. The witness in Owosso was the first and only clue. A purported live sighting is ranked as priceless, too bad it turned out to be a lie.
If I ever get lost , I hope the Shiawassee County Search and Rescue team would come out looking for me. I know they will not stop. "
from melinda to carol wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:26 AM:
" I hope Carol can get my comment. I am so sorry for your loss and I hope you will go on and be as strong as you possably can. I can relate very closely to you and your family this disease is the hardest to deal with I know my father had it and I was an only child. My mother was partialy paralized from a stroke and I had my own family but still I took care of them as long as I could. He got up one morning without his meds and insilin shot and ran away a friend saw him about approxmety 5 miles away and was not aware of his illness because he had not seen him for a while. We were looking for him and an officer found him luckely that same day. He only had his slacks and a short sleeve t-shirt on and no shoes and socks. He was walking to see me we asumed because of where he was found because he was almost there and I had'nt worked there for quite a while. I would call him and he would often bring me some dinner at work. Thank God he was ok and we decided to put him in the masonic home in Alma mich. since he was a shriner and my mother also went there so she could have help to since she was a Eastern Star member. He passed away about year after he was there from a sever hard attack most likely costed by his 3rd stage of this disease. His body I think just gave up from all of the stress it was going through. My mother passed away about 2 years after hi did. This was about 19 years and 21 years ago. They are still missed so very much. They adopted me at 3 days old and I am now just turned 49 years old. It is still very hard when I visit them for flowers but I am doing just fine and I believe you will be just fine to it just takes a while. I hope this makes you feel a little better that you are not the only one out there that had to deal with this horific disease. You are not alone by far. My thougts are with you during your time of sorrow. Try to keep a possetive and confedent thoughts. Sincerely Melinda "
Tina wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:17 PM:
" That woman who in her attempt for glory and fame and possibly the reward that was offered, most likely cost that man his life by mis-directing the orginal search and when confronted with no evidence or trail after her lie, the search was called off until the dog was found on Sunday. She should be held liable for her actions. "
Kristy wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:59 PM:
" I am very sorry to hear of your tragic loss. God Bless you in your time of sorrow, and we will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers. "
Marcia wrote on Jul 21, 2008 9:44 PM:
" I cannot even imagine what this family is going through. Losing a parent that was lost for a time and holding out hope for his return must have been very heart breaking.
My prayers are with this family to find peace for their loved one. I am so sorry for this loss. "
kay white wrote on Jul 21, 2008 8:44 PM:
" I am so glad that Mr. Tierney was found my prayers are with the family! Glad to see all the voluntaires did such a good job. Thanks people of owosso you deserve a hand. god bless you all. "
