Police searching for woman they believe may be homicide victim
Editor's note: The age of the detained man has been corrected in this article.
Police are searching for a 45-year-old Pittsfield Township woman who has been missing since Monday and whom they believe may be a homicide victim.
Police in Merrillville, Ind., have detained a 44-year-old man whom they believe is the woman’s boyfriend, according to a press release from Pittsfield Township. Police also believe the man to be responsible for the disappearance of Dawn Marie Fital, the release said. He has not been charged.
Dawn Fital
Someone had observed a man acting suspiciously behind a bank in Merrillville and called police, Harshberger said. Police detained the man, and during questioning, he provided information that led police to ask Pittsfield officers to conduct the welfare check.
Officers spoke to Fital’s ex-husband, who lives at the Plum Hollow Drive apartment with Fital and the boyfriend, Harshberger said. Fital's former husband reported he had not seen her or been in contact with her since Monday.
A Facebook page about Dawn Fital's disappearance has been created for people to post messages and relay information.
According to the Facebook page, Fital was last seen at 7 a.m. June 13, and her car was found in Merrillville with her purse in it.
Pittsfield police are following numerous leads in the case, the press release said. The Michigan State Police Crime Lab and the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office and other police agencies are investigating.
Anyone who may have information about the case is asked to call the Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety at 734-822-4911.
Comments
Dawn Early-Wenzel
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 3:48 p.m.
I went to High School with Dawn and know her ex-husband as well. For those of you who posted such comments as needed to be removed, shame on you! You don't know the people involved, you have no clue about their relationships, and how dare you make comments that can hurt those who are suffering? Dawn is a mother, a friend, a grand-mother. If you cannot leave comments of hope and prayer....then keep your D*** fingers OFF the keyboard!!!!
girlhunter
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 12:07 p.m.
I live in the same community that Dawns family lives.. please keep in mind. as you pick this artical apart.. that the family is reading this.. they are already going through enough.. please be kind and mindful of the comments left! My heart and prayers go out to the family in this very difficult time!
robin
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 6:02 a.m.
I noticed a few remarks have not been allowed to be viewed. I would like to say to those people, this woman happen to be someones mother and a grandmother, please keep that in mind. There is noone out there who has the right to judge someone elses life by what is written about them in a news paper, when all they are trying to do is help find a missing peson. It does not give any one out there the right to judge or say evil things about the situation. A mother and grandmother is missing and may not be with them any longer. Now out of respect for the rest of the family, if you cannot say something that is respectible, then keep your comments to your self. You never know when something like this could happen to any of us, would you want to have negative things wrote??? I will be praying for Dawn and all the family. Please join me
kari
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 4:16 a.m.
this is her niece, yes she did live her ex-husband and her boyfriend in arbor knoll. she was last seen and heard from on monday. please keep in mind that family do read this, and to try to keep inappropriate comments to yourself
Amanda Becker
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 2:42 a.m.
So she was living with her ex-husband and her current boyfriend, I've known of weirder living situations. What is important is that she is missing and there are a lot of people including her family & friends who are very worried about her. Please pray for her and keep her in your best of thoughts, don't worry about how confusing or strange her life might be to you. I honestly hope nothing bad has happened to her, if she were my mother, I'd be an emotional mess if my mother were in the news like this. To her daughters and other family - I'm so sorry for what you are going through and you're in my thoughts & prayers.
gina
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 2:40 a.m.
I am so sorry to hear this. I pray that Dawn returns home to her family safe...
actionjackson
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 1:42 a.m.
Who determined the conotation "boyfriend" as opposed to roomate. Possible he was staying with them for work arrangement? Don't get the part where who determined this guy was her boyfriend.
actionjackson
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
Thanks for that Kari. Doesn't your Aunt also list another gentleman on FB that she's in a relationship with? This is just too sad for you and your family. Of course all posters and readers are hoping for the safe return of your Aunt, myself included.
kari
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 4:24 a.m.
im her niece, and yes that was her boyfriend
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 1:28 a.m.
"Officers spoke to Fital's ex-husband, who lives at the Plum Hollow Drive apartment with Fital and the boyfriend" Odd living arrangement, to say the least. I wonder how that conversation went.
Dawn Early-Wenzel
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 3:49 p.m.
Speculation about her living arrangements will not find her safe and alive. You don't know them so don't make comments like that!
RJA
Wed, Jun 15, 2011 : 11:38 p.m.
I read this as, the woman, ex-husband and boyfriend lived together in the Arbor Knoll Apartments. I pray that the victim is found safe. Thanks to all those continuing the investigation.
Crystal Holek
Wed, Jun 15, 2011 : 11:35 p.m.
Well obviously "the woman" is Dawn, and it says that she lived in arbor knoll apartments, hence why the pittsfieldpolice were called. and it says the 44 yr old man was the boyfriend. My thoughts and prayers go out to her children, grandchildren, and family. This is horribly sad and I hope this gets figured out soon.
FaithInYpsi
Wed, Jun 15, 2011 : 11:31 p.m.
I didn't have a problem reading this article. If Pittsfield was asked to do a welfare check, obviously she lived there. It is certainly "clear" the woman is Dawn Fital; the whole reason for the article. I don't understand the constant picking at AnnArbor.com and wonder if people are really interested in the news or do they sign on to do a grammar and journalist check. Certainly there are errors, as in all news but if you have any common sense you can figure it out. This is a sad story and God Bless her and her family during this trying time.
Crystal Holek
Wed, Jun 15, 2011 : 11:38 p.m.
100% agreed. Her family and friends are dealing with this, and I don't think they're wanting to read a comment about how the story is confusing when they're probably confused as to why this had to happen.
Lola
Wed, Jun 15, 2011 : 10:47 p.m.
This story couldn't be more confusing. Is the 55 year old man the boyfriend or the ex-husband? Who is "the woman" that you are referring to? Does the possible victim live here or in Indiana? I am completely confused as to who is whom and where any of these people are located. Please make the story more clear.
alan
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 12:54 a.m.
Not too confusing. Woman, ex-husband, and boyfriend live together in AA. Boyfriend and woman's car with purse inside found in Indiana. Woman not accounted for. Ex-husband hasn't seen her since Monday.
actionjackson
Thu, Jun 16, 2011 : 12:05 a.m.
Boyfriend 44, victim 45, it's all there. Boyfriend lived here at Arbor Knoll. Not real confusing.