CENTREVILLE, MI (WNWN/WTVB) – The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department issued a statement on Thursday which was the fifth year anniversary of the disappearance of Brittany Shank of Sturgis.
She was 23-years-old at the time she went missing in the 33000 Block of Fawn River Road in Sturgis and St. Joseph County Undersheriff Jason Bingaman says “the Sheriff’s Office continues to follow up on tips and leads while considering this an open investigation”.
According to a flyer that was distributed a year after she disappeared, Shank had been missing since the night of November 30, 2018 after running off the road in thick fog and walking from door to door confused. She was not wearing a coat or shoes at the time. It was possible she was with an unidentified man who was said to be in his mid-20’s with an average build. He was also said to have short blonde hair with mutton-chop sideburns.
Shank was just over five-feet-tall who weighed 110 pounds with dyed red hair that was shaved on the sides and hazel eyes.
What is considered to be a large and complex case was taken over by Det./Sgt. Jason Auton in March of 2022. Investigators have continued to search multiple location in Michigan and Indiana using drones, cadaver dogs and search groups.
Detectives continue to conduct interviews, work with forensic artist, and polygraph analysis to develop additional leads and information to help solve Shank’s disappearance. The Sheriff’s Office partnered with Western Michigan University Cold Case Program last January.
Shank’s case is the largest case the program has seen up to this point, with over 1,072 individuals mentioned within the case file and the number continues to grow.
Also helping with the investigation is the Michigan State Police, the Sturgis Department of Public Safety, the Branch County Sheriff’s Office, Three Rivers Police, Indiana State Police and the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Office.
Bingaman says “Brittany’s family and friends, the community, and law enforcement are understandably frustrated to not have the answers about her disappearance, and I feel for them. This Office is committed to continue to give this case the full attention it deserves, to find Brittany, and bring some closure to those grieving.”
Friends of the missing woman have scheduled for a vigil for 6:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the Free Church Park in Sturgis.
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