Missing Bridgewater Township woman found dead

A woman reported missing Saturday was found dead this afternoon in a wooded area behind her Bridgewater Township home, Washtenaw County sheriff's deputies said.

Investigators say they found no obvious signs of foul play. An autopsy has not yet been performed.

Anna-Maria Wheeker, 45, a mother of four, was found roughly a half-mile from her Kies Road home about 3:30 p.m., said Derrick Jackson, the sheriff department's director of community engagement. She was reported missing by her husband.

Anna-Maria Wheeker

Wheeker was a wilderness lover and enjoyed spending time in the woods, including camping overnight, police said.

Deputies, firefighters, farmers and other people fanned out near her home today as her family became increasingly concerned for her safety because of the cold weather, Jackson said.

Wheeker lives on about 20 acres, Jackson said. She has no known medical or mental health issues, he said.

Wheeker was last seen on Kies Road about 8:15 p.m. Saturday, deputies said. She was walking south toward Clinton Road.

Anyone with information can call the sheriff's confidential tip line at (734) 973-7711 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.