Officials confirm death of Nathan Tracy, found in Pittsfield Township pond
Police confirmed Tuesday that the body found in a retention pond in Pittsfield Township Saturday is that of Nathan Tracy, a 19-year-old who had been missing since a car crash last week.
Nathan Tracy
“We haven’t gotten anything back yet,” he said.
The Ford Focus Tracy was driving crashed into a truck parked in a car port, and he briefly spoke with a witness near the incident before disappearing, police said.
He was reported missing on Thursday and dozens of volunteers, along with police, searched the area around the crash Friday afternoon and into the evening. The search included a Michigan State Police helicopter and police dogs.
A maintenance worker reported finding a body at 10:38 a.m. Saturday in a pond at the Weatherstone Condominiums off Oak Valley Drive. Although preliminary identification made police believe they had found Tracy, it took until Tuesday for confirmation. Jentzen reported Monday the autopsy was complete.
Public Safety Director Matt Harshberger said Tuesday police are just waiting on toxicology reports to come back from the medical examiner’s office to complete the investigation. Harshberger said there was evidence Tracy was intoxicated at the time of the crash, but any official ruling will come after the toxicology reports are done.
“The detectives are in contact with the family, but at this juncture, now that the autopsy is done and he has been positively identified … we’re just waiting for the official cause of death before concluding the official investigation,” Harshberger said.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
LatersBaby
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 6:06 p.m.
I wonder what he said to the witness?
Kyle Feldscher
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 6:06 p.m.
Tru2Blu76- While I can understand your frustration with unanswered questions, I hope you understand that these are questions I have as well. Unfortunately, these questions go unanswered at this point because the investigation is still considered open until the official cause of death is determined. Due to the nature of the medical tests being done, that could take days, weeks, possibly months. Unfortunately, we're beholden to the fact that the police report will not be finished until the investigation is finished and until that point, officials can decline to give us information on open investigations. Legally, they can deny any Freedom of Information Act requests I might file for the report because the investigation is still open. I've reported every fact available to me at this point. I'm sure this explanation will not placate you, but I wanted to explain my situation.
jns131
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 1:37 a.m.
Kyle? It takes about 3 weeks to get the full report. I know, I went thru one of these myself. Not fun not knowing until you know. We should know by mid October what the official cause of death is. It will be public knowledge once the family is notified. Even then it is no satisfaction. to loose a child at this age.
Kyle Mattson
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 10 p.m.
Thank you all for the feedback, to keep the discussion on track we'd request that any further conversation regarding our coverage be directed to our moderation guidelines thread or to our editorial staff by emailing share@annarbor.com
johnnya2
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.
And when he does what Tesla believes to be the answer he could be hindering a police investigation. What makes you think police or Kyle have not spoken to these friends.Should he go berate the family into telling them who the friend was. If nobody tells you who the friend is, should he go to his school and stalk innocent people until they tell him what he wants to know? In what world do YOU hve some right to know anything about this case? The only people who have any rights on it are those directly involved. The family, maybe a person who had their car damaged. There is no public right to know every detail of everything that has happened in the world. If that is the case., should he start stalking you at your local store and find out what size clothing you wear, what you bought, what is on your tax return, what time you go to bed, every time you ever yelled at your kid, every time you went over the speed limit. Should he report your educational level and what classes you did well in and not? The problem in the world is nosy busy bodies who have no life of their own and want to get details on a person who has NOTHING to do with your life. Go back to watching the Kardashians, because that is what you like, salacious details that DO NOT MATTER>
Tesla
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 6:37 p.m.
I'm no reporter or journalist Kyle but it occurs to me that you go find this witness and ask him directly then report your findings. Then you go find these so called friends of his in Ann Arbor he was supposedly visiting and interview them. You go get the story Kyle. It's not just reporting what comes across the wire.
jns131
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 5:55 p.m.
The New York Times just did a report on concussions. I am wondering if this why he ended up there. Good luck to the family. Can't wait to see the autopsy report.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.
There seems to be more to this story not mentioned. The fact that young Mr. Tracy walked away from the accident begs the question of why he wasn't at least followed and reported to police. I say this because: "he briefly spoke with a witness near the incident before disappearing." -- What did the bystanders / witnesses do after talking with him? Also, what was said in the conversation between Mr. Tracy and the witness remains unreported. (not unusual for AnnArbor.com). My sincere sympathy goes out the Mr. Tracy's family. Losing a young one is a great tragedy.
Kyle Mattson
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 9:40 p.m.
Tru- Please see Kyle's response below. Tesla- John and Kyle are continually in contact with officials regarding the 23 accident and will publish an update when information becomes available.
Tesla
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
Not to mention there will be no follow up so we will never know the cause of death, and just like we will never know the finality of the crash on 23 with that minivan that was turned in etc.... Bah.... It is what it is I guess.
LatersBaby
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 6:07 p.m.
Just noticed you had already asked the same question I did below. I wonder what he said to the witness and how come they didnt report right away?
GoNavy
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.
At this point, perhaps it's more appropriate for Ann Arbor.com to come back to readers when they have the whole story, as opposed to trickling out information each time a tidbit is shared by anybody involved.
Kyle Mattson
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 9:55 p.m.
GoNavy- Soothslayer is on the right track; however, what I would like to add is that readers also looks for news on an immediate basis. Obviously it is not always to report on a real time basis, but we strive to keep you informed with updates as we receive them. With the advantages of the web vs print we no longer have to wait hours, or even days to get news to readers but can make it available to the public as soon as possible.
Soothslayer
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 6:11 p.m.
This isn't how news is reported anymore. Everyone wants to be first.
RJA
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 4:03 p.m.
My thoughts and prayers go to this young man's family and friends. (a life cut way to short)
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 2:32 p.m.
In an earlier story police tracking dogs led them to believe he traveled along I-94 as far as State Road. Is the assumption he then circled back somehow?
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 6:32 p.m.
that was my thought. And since tracking dogs are fallible I imagine so are so called "cadaver" dogs that seem rather popular these days.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 5:42 p.m.
Or - one could conclude that tracking dogs are fallible and in this case may have followed a false trail. It happens.
Ashley Zimmerman
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.
So sad. I hope the family gets answers soon. Had he been in the pond since Wednesday or had the pond been found empty until Saturday? What did the witnesses say his demeanor was like? Confused or scared?
brian
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 3:46 a.m.
All we can ask is why. Poor young man.. RIP young one.
justcurious
Tue, Sep 11, 2012 : 11:25 p.m.
Very sad.