PETOSKEY, Mich. - Recovering from hypothermia after his capture in a snow-covered forest, Stephen Grant awaited a return to suburban Detroit, where authorities planned to charge him in his wife's killing and dismemberment.
Grant could be released from a hospital as early as Monday and would be arraigned in Macomb County on a murder charge and a count of disinterment and mutilation, said Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel. If he needs further treatment, the arraignment could take place in the hospital, the sheriff said.
A female torso was discovered Friday in the garage of Grant's home in Washington Township, 30 miles north of Detroit. The torso, and other body parts found in a nearby park, were believed those of Tara Grant, a businesswoman and mother of two who disappeared last month.
Stephen Grant, 37, who has steadfastly maintained his innocence, fled in a friend's pickup truck after police obtained a search warrant. Tracing calls from his cell phone, officers descended on Wilderness State Park about 225 miles north, at the tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Aided by a search dog and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter that followed Grant's tracks in the snow, they found him shortly before dawn Sunday in the swampy, thickly wooded park. He was cowering under a fallen tree about three miles from the truck, wearing only a shirt, socks and pants in 14-degree weather.
"I don't think he probably could have made it much longer in those kind of conditions," said Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin. "I wouldn't want to be out there unless I was dressed for it."
Alicia Standerfer, Tara Grant's sister, fought back tears as she thanked police Sunday for their efforts to find the missing woman.
"While this outcome represents the worst possible scenario imaginable to anyone, we take comfort in the fact that Tara is now in a better place," Standerfer said. "We hope and believe that Tara's murderer will ultimately be brought to justice."
County Medical Examiner Daniel Spitz told the Detroit Free Press that preliminary autopsy results showed the 34-year-old woman likely died of strangulation before her body was dismembered. He said he would release his official findings Monday.
Stephen Grant was in stable condition at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. Dr. John Bednar, the hospital's chief of staff, said he was being treated for hypothermia and possible frostbite but was alert and cooperative.
The Grants have two children, a 6-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, who were staying with relatives. In a statement released through the hospital, Grant said he loved them and "looks forward to seeing them again as soon as possible."
Hackel said he was certain the body parts were Tara Grant's and that her husband is the only suspect.
"It's very horrific. What he had done to her was one of those things that I think people can only imagine by watching a movie or television or actually seeing and reading about in some kind of a novel," Hackel said.
Tara Grant last was seen Feb. 9. Her husband reported her missing five days later. On the day she disappeared, the couple had argued over her frequent business trips abroad, police said.
It was unclear why Stephen Grant headed to Wilderness State Park, although the family had visited northern Michigan frequently, Hackel said.
Police with local, state, federal and tribal agencies converged on the park Saturday evening. After finding the abandoned pickup, they searched on foot and snowmobile, pounding on doors of the park's few cabins and nearby homes to warn occupants.
"We didn't know what we were up against," Wallin said. "We knew he was suicidal, we knew he could be armed and dangerous." He had no weapons when found, the Emmet County sheriff said.
Aided by a full moon, the Coast Guard helicopter crew followed Grant's footprints and guided several dozen ground searchers in his direction, Lt. Jeremy Loeb said.
"We could see where he'd lay down, get up, lay down again," Wallin said.
He was captured about 6:30 a.m. Sunday after an all-night search and offered no resistance. He was silent as he was hoisted into the helicopter, Loeb said.
David Griem, a lawyer who has acted as Grant's spokesman, said Sunday he would no longer represent Grant because of irreconcilable differences. He said Grant didn't yet have another attorney.
---
Associated Press writers Jim Irwin and David Runk and in Detroit and David Eggert in Mount Clemens, Mich., contributed to this report.
No comments:
Post a Comment