Police identify human remains found in Saginaw River in Bay City

BAY CITY, MI – Police have identified the human remains that were found in the Saginaw River in Bay City as a 41-year-old man who had recently been reported missing.

Justie Stilwell, the 41-year-old Bay City man, was identified by the Bay City Department of Public Safety on Thursday evening, Sept. 19.

Police began investigating after receiving reports of body parts in the water near the Independence Bridge on Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Stilwell had been reported missing by family members earlier that day. His vehicle was found at a nearby park.

He was identified using fingerprints, police said in a news release.

Police recovered two arms and two lower legs along the banks of the Saginaw River near the Golson Boat Launch.

It is unclear how the human remains ended up in the Saginaw River, police said, and no other evidence has been located as of Thursday evening.

A suspect has not been identified. Police believe this was an isolated incident and that the victim and suspect knew each other.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan State Police, Bay County Sheriff's Office, Bangor Township Fire Department and Bay City Department of Public Safety Fire Operations Division all had watercraft in the Saginaw River searching for additional evidence.

The investigation will continue.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Bay City Department of Public Safety at 989-892-8571 or the non-emergency number to Bay County Central Dispatch at 989-892-9551. Individuals can also provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245), download the P3 mobile app or go to P3Tips.com. Photos and videos can be uploaded on the app or online.