Mary Denise Lands, Missing March 2004 MI.
Mary Denise Lands Classification: Endangered Missing Adult Date of Birth: September 3, 1964 Date Missing: March 12, 2004 From City/State: Marshall, MI Missing From (Country): USA Age at Time of Disapperance: 39 Gender: Female Race: White Height: 66 inches Weight: 160 pounds Hair Color: Brown Eye Color: Brown Complexion: Medium Glasses/Contacts Description: Reading glasses with brown frames. Identifying Characteristics: Pierced ears, pierced navel, brown birthmark on buttock. Clothing: Hospital scrubs (blue scrub pants with "Sponge Bob" print scrub shirt), slip-on athletic shoes with no heel back, brown leather jacket. Circumstances of Disappearance: Unknown. Mary was last seen at approximately 10:30pm walking away from her residence in the vicinity of the 1200 block of Arms St. in Marshall, MI. Investigative Agency: Marshall Police Department Phone: (269) 781-2596 Poster Available at: http://www.theyaremissed.org/ncma/gallery/ncmaprofile_all.php?A200401371S

Friends and relatives gather to remember missing Calhoun County woman Calhoun County, September 13, 2004, It's been six months since a Calhoun County woman was reported missing. Sunday night, neighbors and loved ones of Mary Lands held a candlelight vigil. They came to light candles and keep her name on the top of everyone's mind. As her family holds out hope, police mentioned foul play in the case for the first time. Mary’s grieving mother says the last six months have felt like a lifetime, and she's coming to realize Mary may never come home alive. “I don't think she realized how many people cared for her; I really don't think. She's just a common person. She loved life,” she told 24 Hour News 8. A national search for Mary turned up nothing. Police Chief Mike Olson assigned the case to a detective who only works this investigation full time. “A lot of the work is very tedious. A lot of these things are small things, but this is a large jigsaw puzzle. It'll take very little piece to bring closure to the case,” says Sgt. Scott McDonald. With help from other agencies, including the FBI, they're still tracking down tips and leads that have taken them to almost every state and even out of the country. The national missing persons group working the case is worried about the lack of information, but says the six months that Mary has been missing, which may seem to be an eternity for many who miss her here in West Michigan, is still a relatively short time. If you have any information on the disappearance of Mary Lands call Marshall Police at 269-781-2596. Police say they will work diligently until they find her. http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2291621&nav=0RceQpcZ

Police release surveillance tape showing missing West Michigan woman Marshall, October 4, 2004 Police hope the release of a surveillance tape will lead to clues in the disappearance of a West Michigan woman. 24 Hour News 8 obtained video that shows Mary Lands in a Marshall party store shortly before she went missing. Lands hasn't been seen since March 12. She never returned home or contacted any family. Marshall police say they suspect foul play. Police are asking hunters in Calhoun County to let them know if they stumble on anything suspicious. If you notice something out of the ordinary, mark the spot, and call the Marshall police. http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=2382023&nav=0RceRabN

Man's home searched in missing woman case Trace Christenson The Enquirer Thursday, December 9, 2004 MARSHALL — Investigators returned Wednesday to the last place a missing woman was seen nine months ago. Crime technicians used a search warrant to enter the townhouse on Marshall's west side, where Mary Lands was living with her fiancé before she disappeared March 12. "We wanted to do some follow-up from the initial search we did in March," Marshall Police Chief Mike Olson said. "We are looking to see if there is any trace evidence that we might have missed." Two crime-scene technicians from the Michigan State Police and two from the Battle Creek Police Department entered the townhouse before noon and were inside for several hours, Olson said. He declined to discuss what police might be looking for and said information about any results of the search won't be released. Lands, 39, disappeared after her fiancé, Chris Pratt, said she walked away after they had an argument. Less than a month after she disappeared, Marshall police called the case suspicious and in September said they believe Lands was a victim of foul play. An investigator from Marshall police and two from the Michigan State Police have been assigned to the case. The Calhoun County Major Crime Task Force also has been involved in the investigation. Rewards totaling $9,000 are being offered for information about the woman's disappearance. Anyone with information is asked to call Marshall police at 781-2596. Olson said Wednesday that investigators still consider her a victim and not simply a missing person. "But we have essentially taken it back to ground zero," he said. "We have re-interviewed many of the people and are continuing to look for any evidence of a crime. We are investigating this as foul play." Pratt was not home when investigators entered Wednesday and he could not be reached by the Enquirer. Lands' father, Clifford Marshall, said family members were notified by the police department of the execution of the search warrant and will have a meeting with police officials today. "The whole family is elated about it," Marshall said. "We have seen a little bit of movement in the case. We understand that they can't tell us anything about the investigation, but it has just been slack, so today it helped the family. They feel good about it because it just showed us they are working on the case." Marshall said the long wait for a break in his daughter's disappearance has been difficult for the family. "This is the holiday and it has been really tough," he said. "It has been rough on the family, but this made the family feel good that they are still plugging along on it." http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041209/NEWS01/412090310/1002

What happened to Mary Lands? Posted: March 5, 2006 The story of Mary Lands haunts the community of Marshall. Lands, a 39-year-old mother of two, vanished nearly 24 months ago. As the family plans to mark an anniversary, they're opening up for really the first time with their feelings and questions. "It's hard. My wife cries going to work, she cries coming home. It's hard on us. We want to find her and put her to rest and we're not getting any help", says Clifford Marshall, Mary's father. Marshall long ago allowed himself to realize the reality his daughter most likely met a horrible end. He's angered. Jim Carlin is a private investigator who is writing a book on the case and helping the family. Carlin says there was one glaring problem early on. Lands live-in boyfriend Chris Pratt said he and Lands had been in an argument and she walked away. Her scent was purportedly tracked to a local motel, leading to the possibility that Lands was an adult runaway. The family knew that wasn't case and they say that lead to lost crucial moments, days, and weeks they believe. "We no question realize the family's frustration. We have done and continue to do everything we can to solve this case," said Marshall Police Chief Mike Olson when contacted by 24 Hour News 8. Lands' 60 something father, a retired dry wall hanger, living 24 months of frustration, "It's been tough, tough on my wife... Tough on me. A lot of bitterness over the past two years where we don't seem to be getting any help. My daughter is not just a piece of trash to be thrown away just thrown away... You can't do that." A vigil entitled "Justice for Mary" will be held next Sunday (March 12th) in Marshall. That marks the official anniversary of her disappearance two years ago. http://woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4587806

2 year anniversary of missing Marshall woman Posted: March 12, 2006 Today marks the two year anniversary since 40-year-old, Mary Lands vanished. Lands has been missing since March of 2004. Today family and friends will hold a vigil at 2:00 p.m. at the Fountain Circle in Marshall. Just last week Lands' family sat down with 24 hour news 8 to talk about what they're still going through. They realize Mary is likely dead and hired a private investigator to get some answers. The family says one problem is that at first Lands was considered a possible runaway, which meant time was lost in launching a full-scale investigation. Lands' father says dealing with his daughter's disappearance hasn't gotten any easier. A $9,000 reward has been set up for information leading to an arrest in the case. http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4619818&nav=menu44_2

On 2-year anniversary, family of missing mother pleads for tips March 13, 2006 Scott Noll, News 3 Reporter MARSHALL (NEWS 3) - Two years after a Marshall mother of two disappeared, her family is hoping someone has the information that will finally help them start healing. "She does not deserve to be thrown away like a piece of trash. She deserves to be found and have a proper burial and we need to have peace with that too," Anita Marshall told News 3. Her daughter, Mary Lands, was last seen March 12, 2004 leaving the apartment she shared with a boyfriend. "If there's been a crime committed, there has to be a suspect. And if there's a suspect, it would be nice for someone to tell us who that is," Mike Marshall, Mary's brother, told a crowd of nearly 100 friends and family who gathered in Marshall to remember Lands. Recently, the 39-year-old's family has grown increasingly critical of the investigation into her disappearance. "I think the investigation was botched for the first four to six months when Mary ended up missing. I think they let it into people's hands and they didn't care, didn't pay attention because they thought she just took off," said Anita Marshall. The family is now working with private investigator Jim Carlin. He believes prosecutors should go ahead with the case, even without Lands' body. "They need many people to go out and talk to these many witnesses, and when they go out and sit in that office and compare notes and look at evidence, they can come up with a suspect in this case and they can go to trial," said Carlin. "I believe that now that we're at the second anniversary, if something isn't done in the next 30 to 60 days, this case will never be solved." But Marshall's police chief disagrees. Chief Michael Olson believes the case is solvable and says his department is making progress. "Certainly the family wants their answers, and I understand that, and we're going to take criticism and have to live with it because it's a natural process and part of the grieving," Olson said. "I think we've got certainly some good information and good evidence and whatnot to take to the prosecutor," said the chief. Despite that, Olson says he's not sure when he'll be able to ask prosecutors for an arrest warrant in the case. Police are waiting for additional test results to come back on evidence. Meaning, the wait for justice and answers to the question, 'Where is Mary?' continue for Lands' family. "It's hard because people come up to us everyday and say, 'have you heard anything? Are the police still working on this or do you know anything?' And, we don't. We really don't," said Lands' mother. The family has also set up a post office box, hoping to collect anonymous tips about the case. Anyone with information about Mary Lands' disappearance can send that tip to: Where's Mary? P.O. Box 301 Marshall, MI 49068 http://wwmt.com/engine.pl?station=wwmt&id=24455&template=breakout_local.html

Mary Lands' Family optimistic after search Marshall, March 29, 2006 By Dan Bewley A search of private property in rural Calhoun County has given the family of Mary Lands hope that the search is finished. Lands has been missing since March 12, 2004. Wednesday afternoon the first organized search in nearly two years was conducted by a private search and rescue team. 24 Hour News 8 has been talking with Lands' family as well as the private investigator they hired. Both tell us they plan to meet Michigan State Police Thursday morning northeast of Marshall. We were not able to confirm it with state police, but private investigator Jim Carlin tells us that teams of cadaver dogs made a positive hit in a marsh on private property. "We're hoping that it ends here. That's what we're hoping for, 'cause it's been hard on us. We want it to be done," said Clifford Marshall, Mary Lands' father. The focus Wednesday on private property, just north of I-94, between Marshall and Albion. Private investigator Jim Carlin was hired by the family and organized the search. Carlin has spent more than 3,000 hours on the case, interviewed nearly two dozen people, and recently received several tips after opening a post office box for those who wanted to remain anonymous. "Statements over the last several months indicate that Mary was buried here in Calhoun County. I don't know if it's this exact spot. But a lot of the information we've pieced together, there's a possibility she might be at this location," said Carlin. After several hours searching the property, Carlin says the cadaver dogs made a hit in a marsh. He can't say for certain whether the hit is indeed the body of Mary Lands or something else, but says regardless, he believes she will be found some day. "This crime can be solved here in Calhoun County. There's a lot of people that know what happened," said Carlin. Carlin says Michigan State Police will be out searching the spot Thursday. 24 Hour News 8 will be there as well, and we will have the latest developments both on air and on-line. http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4700919

Search dogs bring new hope to family of missing mother March 30, 2006 Scott Noll, News 3 I-Team NEAR MARSHALL (NEWS 3) - The parents of Mary Lands hope that after more than two years of searching, they may be closer than ever to finding the remains of their missing daughter. This, after a team of cadaver-searching dogs sniffed out human remains where tipsters have said Lands may be buried. "It's heartbreaking, because we're afraid, you know, that this is it," Lands' father, Clifford Marshall told News 3 Wednesday. The Marshalls were among a group of searchers combing a one acre lot off F Drive North in Sheridan Township Wednesday afternoon. Lands' father says during the last two years, the family has received about a dozen "good leads." Ten of them, he said, lead to the property. Private investigator Jim Carlin says recent tips to his office, have told the same story. "Mary was placed here after she came up missing. A hole was dug, she was put in it and the story seems to have circulated in the community for some time," said Carlin. Marshall's police chief told News 3 his department looked into the tip last year. Despite spending what he called "considerable time" at the property, Chief Mike Olsen said investigators came up empty. But on Wednesday, search teams had a different view of things. "That we definitely need to further investigate this area," said dog handler Jan Harkner-Abbs. "The animals are trained to ignore animal scent. They are only trained specifically on human scent," she said. Four of five dogs focused on the same area during the search. That area sits at the banks of a swamp. Carlin notified state police of the findings. A trooper came to the site Wednesday evening. Carlin says investigators told him State Police will return with their own search dogs Thursday to confirm the findings. But Lands' parents say they're already convinced. "I think it's probably time to put this to rest. I believe this is what we wanted when we came out today. We'd love to put her to rest and, of course, get the people who've done this. I think we're getting that all together now," said Marshall. Mary Lands was last seen alive in March 2004 walking away from her apartment in Marshall that she shared with her boyfriend. Police believe she was the victim of foul play. Chief Mike Olsen says he continues to work with prosecutors on the case, and that he believes Lands' killer will be captured. http://wwmt.com/engine.pl?station=wwmt&id=24979&template=breakout_local.html

New Details in Case of Local Missing Woman March 31, 2006 New details in the case of a missing Marshall woman. Mary Lands disappeared from her home in March of 2004. Her fiance told investigators that Mary left their apartment late at night without saying where she was going. He told them she didn't take her keys or cell phone, or her car. Now her family thinks they may be close to finding Mary's remains. For some time, Mary Lands' family has been working with a private investigator. That investigator was out Wednesday night searching a marshy area located near I-94 between Albion and Marshall. Now he believes his cadaver dogs may have sniffed out the remains of the missing woman. A private investigator, family and friends of Mary Lands returned to search a marshy spot in hopes of finding some sign of Mary. Cliff Marshall, Mary Lands' father: "My whole family hopes that this is the place. We just feel she's here, that's it, you just got to feel that." Weary from two years of not knowing, Lands' family is ready for closure, so together, the family prayed, hoping that Mary Lands is resting somewhere close by, and their two-year search is finally over. Mike Marshall, Mary Lands' brother: "If this is not the place, then as long as we get to an end to this." In the meantime, the task force of police agencies who are also investigating this case say they they've received several leads. They are taking this one seriously and they plan to bring their own cadaver dogs to search the area sometime soon. http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=4707204&nav=0RbQ

Police search turns up no sign of Lands, missing for 2 years Police searched a Sheridan Township property Friday but did not locate the body of Mary Lands, who has been missing for two years. Lt. Dale Peet, post commander of the Michigan State Police at Battle Creek, said a dog trained to search for bodies was brought in but did not find any remains of the missing woman. A state police helicopter also flew over the property near F Drive North and 24-Mile Road using an infrared device that might show the location of a body. However, Peet said no evidence that Lands was buried on the property was located. Police went to the property after Jim Carlin, a private investigator from Battle Creek, and the family of the missing woman said they had information she might be buried on the property. Cadaver dogs from a private company in Indiana searched the property Wednesday and Carlin said the dogs indicated the possible presence of a body in a swampy area. Lands was reported missing in March 2004 after her boyfriend said she left their Marshall townhouse after an argument. She has not been seen since and is presumed dead. Peet said state police and the Marshall Police Department are continuing their investigation. "We may do further things at the site depending on what the investigators feel is needed," Peet said. Originally published April 1, 2006 http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060401/NEWS01/604010304/1002

Dogs will search again for Mary Lands Calhoun County, April 1, 2006, 7:10 p.m. Mary Lands Where is Mary Lands? A dispute is brewing between police and the private investigator hired by the family to find the missing Marshall woman. Police searched an area in Calhoun County Friday where earlier in the week, cadaver dogs brought in by the family indicated there was a dead body. Police say their dog didn't find anything. Marshall Police Chief Mike Olson tells 24 Hour News 8 that for now the site is no longer an area of interest. But the private investigator says four separate dogs indicated that something is there and that he, and the family, aren't giving up. "I've secured permission again to go back there; it's not a crime scene, they shouldn't care. We are going to go back tomorrow with an independent cadaver dog specialist, on Monday I'm going to have another specialist, says Jim Carlin. Police tell us they've put in thousands of hours on the Lands case and are following up on all leads. http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4708909&nav=0Rce

Dad Talks About Search for Missing Local Daughter April 3, 2006 The search continues for a Marshall woman missing for two years. A private investigator told the family his cadaver dogs sniffed possible human remains last week. The first search is centered around an area between Marshall and Albion near Interstate 94. Days later, the Michigan State Police searched the same area using their own cadaver dog. Nothing was found. Now that private investigator says he'll return to search the area again with independent cadaver dogs, the search for answers into Mary Lands' disappearance has been trying for her family. It has been a frustrating two years for Clifford Marshall. He's has been trying to solve the mystery of his daughter Mary's disappearance from her home in Marshall. Clifford Marshall, Mary's dad: "The longer it goes on, I believe it gets rougher." The family has gotten through by clinging to their memories of Mary and the type of person she was. Clifford Marshall: "She was kinda the rock of the family, she put on all the dinners and all the holidays and stuff for us." He says Mary was always there for the family, and the least they can do in return is find out what happened to her. The Marshalls have recently started putting signs up, and just last week, cadaver dogs searched for clues on land off of I-94 in Marshall. Mary Lands' family will be bringing in more cadaver dogs to go over the area again, hoping it will lead to answers. Clifford Marshall: "Whatever it takes, we're going to check into it." Clifford says answers are the only way the family can move forward. Clifford Marshall: "I don't think you can ever forget, but at least you can move on." He hopes his entire family can start that process of moving on in the very near future. Clifford Marshall: "The suffering has been long enough, now it's time to find our daughter." http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=4716037&nav=0RbQ

Mary Lands Search: "We will dig on that site" (Calhoun County, April 3, 2006, 8:45 a.m.) The search for missing Marshall woman Mary Lands may continue this week. A search scheduled for Sunday for Lands was called off because of the chance of severe weather. Police searched an area in Calhoun County Friday where earlier in the week, cadaver dogs brought in by the family indicated there was a dead body. Marshall Police say their dog didn't find anything. Jim Carlin, a private investigator, helping Mary's family in the search says he remains confident there is a body on that site. Carlin tells 24 Hour News 8 eventually his team will dig. http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4708909

Family of missing woman continues search near Marshall April 4, 2006 - 12:11PM NEAR MARSHALL (NEWS 3) - Family and friends of Mary Lands are in Sheridan Township near Marshall today looking for the body of the woman who has been missing for two years. Police dogs were brought in last Friday to search a wooded area in the township. Police also brought in helicopters to search from the sky. Earlier in the week, a private detective brought in dogs to search the site and said they identified what appeared to be traces of human remains in the area. Police say they found no trace of Lands' body. The 39-year-old Lands disappeared from her apartment complex in Marshall two years ago. http://wwmt.com/engine.pl?station=wwmt&id=25142&template=breakout_local.html