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Posted on Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.

Missing teenager Nathan Tracy found dead in Pittsfield Township

By Paula Gardner

The efforts of friends, family, strangers and public safety officials to find Nathan Tracy came to a tragic conclusion Saturday when the teen was found in a pond just south of Ann Arbor.

Nathan_Tracy.jpg

Courtesy of Pittsfield Township police.

Pittsfield Township police said a maintenance worker at Weatherstone Condos on Oak Valley Drive found a person who they believe to be Tracy at about 10:38 a.m. in a retention pond near the entrance to the condo complex.

Investigators spent a few hours at the scene, including a span of about two hours during which they closed Oak Valley to traffic.

While a conclusive identification will be made by Sunday, police said they have notified Tracy's family. They have not determined a cause of death.

Police said Nathan, 19, was headed north around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday on Ranchero Drive near Oak Valley Drive when the Ford Focus he was driving went off the road and crashed into the back of a truck parked in a carport.

Nathan then spoke briefly with a witness before walking away from the accident. Nathan's cellphone was recovered in the car, which was subsequently towed and impounded.

Mishelle Tracy, Nathan's mother, joined family and officials in fearing he was too afraid to turn himself in after fleeing from the car crash.

On Friday, she was among the people searching for him near the scene of the crash. Late in the day, there was some indication that Nathan may have walked from the scene of the crash toward Ann Arbor, but police were unable to confirm that.

Mishelle Tracy said that her son, a second-year engineering student at Henry Ford Community College, drove to Ann Arbor to see friends. He left their Trenton home after a family dinner.


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Comments

HONDO

Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 8:39 p.m.

I dont understand the time line of this story. He was found in September bythe pond, why is this news again in July? I thought he was found in the pond but they didnt knew how he ended up by the pond? I didnt think he was missing, but how he ended up was the issue. I may be wrong so sorry but confusing.

Dennis Downs

Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 3:24 a.m.

I was mad when I wrote my first comment, but I still believe he is innocent, Nathan was a great kid! I did not know him well but in the short time I did, it was enough for me to miss him, my sincerest sympathy to his family and those who knew him well, from my Pain now I can only begin to understand yours. I am so sorry.

Dennis Downs

Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 3:18 a.m.

I was mad when I wrote my first review, Nathan was a great kid! I did not know him well but the short time I did was enough for me to miss him, my sincerest sympath to his family and tose who knew him well, from my pane now I can only begin to understand yours

Frustrated in A2

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 10:49 p.m.

I'm so sorry to hear that things ended this way, my condolences go out to the family. Like everybody I'm curious as to what the autopsy would say as far as contributing factors to the crash and possibly Nathan's untimely death.

Pika

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 7:41 p.m.

Terrible news! I'm so very sorry.

girlhunter

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.

My heart goes out to the family. Keeping them in my prayers!

Carole

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.

So, sad -- my heart goes out to his family and friends.

arpege quietname

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 12:19 p.m.

My heart goes out to the family of this young man. So sorry for your loss.

jsusan036

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 5:23 a.m.

My heart just sank when I saw this follow-up article tonight. I know I do not know your son Nathan or your family, but he sounds like he was a good kid and your family... a very caring and loving family. When I read about this earlier Saturday morning, I also just thought that this was an instance of a kid who may have "run" because he was scared.... at least I had hoped that this was the case. . I am so terribly sorry for the loss of your son. I too, have a 19 year old son, and I just cannot imagine your heartbreak right now. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.

brian

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 4:50 a.m.

Poor child, my prayers to the family. So, so sad.

Jane Doe

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 2:47 a.m.

I am a family member of Nathan and I just want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. This is a very difficult time for our family but we appreciate all of the support. Nathan was one of kind...genuine, funny, smart, compassionate and would have never intentionally caused harm to anything, anyone or himself. He will truly be missed. Special thanks to the Pittsfield Police Department and Michigan State Police who did everything possible to locate Nate. Also a special thanks to the Valley Ranch Apartment Complex who graciously hosted our entire family and many others in our search to find Nate. God Bless.

dotdash

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.

Thank you for taking the time to post. So many here are desolated to hear of the loss of this young man. Strength and peace to you all.

brian

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 4:51 a.m.

God Bless your family in these hard times.

ummsw

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 2:56 a.m.

I'm so very sorry for your loss..God Bless your entire family..

ArthGuinness

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 2:36 a.m.

Very sad. We don't know the reason for the crash, but it's possible he was in shock or disoriented, even if he talked to a stranger after the accident. In any case, it's very tragic for him and his friends and family. My sincere condolences. I wish nobody ever had to bury their own child.

missy

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 2:31 a.m.

This is so tragic, I know the family is in shock. I will be praying for them, yet knowing it will take time to heal.

Dennis Downs

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 1:26 a.m.

My Heart sunk when I heard the news, I can't believe this is the outcome or that they did not get to this kid in time to save him, with the tracking dogs they had out there the night of the accident. I do also not believe he was driving under the influence. Until they prove otherwise I think this was a case of a young driver going too fast in an unfamiliar area and was maybe distracted for a moment and not by his cell phone!

Lola

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 1:26 a.m.

Stopped by the McDonald's in the area about an hour ago. There were still fliers taped to the windows. I took them down so his family wouldn't have to see them or worry about removing them. If anyone else sees fliers that haven't been removed please do it for the family.

Georgia Luke

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.

I live in the area and will do the same if I see flyers. I am so sorry for this tragic loss to the Tracy family. My prayers are are with you all at this most difficult time.

grimmk

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 5:21 a.m.

Good idea. I'll take them down from my work. :( So sad.

Jane Doe

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 3:13 a.m.

Thank You Lola.

quitoslady

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 12:55 a.m.

I had a feeling this was how it was going to end. So sorry to his family.

5travellers

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 12:38 a.m.

My sincerest condolences to his family. I, too, was hoping that he was scared and hiding out. My prayers are with his parents. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

pamgasp

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 11:43 p.m.

so, so sad

lisaone

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.

The not knowing is the worst. I pray the Tracy family will get some answers. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Paula Gardner

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.

I just added a map to this story that shows Oak Valley and Ranchero Drive. The pond is at the entrance to Weatherstone, which is a bit east from where this map pinpoints the start of Oak Valley.

Milton Shift

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 9:52 p.m.

It sounds like it was shock - that he wandered off confused, suffering from heavy internal injuries. Truly tragic... life can really throw a curveball sometimes.

JRW

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.

Very very sorry to hear the outcome of this accident. A map of the streets involved, the location of the accident and the location of the retention pond would be helpful. It's difficult to tell from the article the relationship of where the accident happened to where Nathan was found. Sympathy to the family.

brian

Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 4:56 a.m.

Sorry but why do you really need to know where he was found? How is that helpful to you? Parents, my prayers to you.

silo

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 9:41 p.m.

Heres a google map link: https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Oak+Valley+Dr+%26+Ranchero+Dr,+Pittsfield+Charter+Township,+Washtenaw,+Michigan+48108&daddr=Weatherstone+Condos+on+Oak+Valley+Drive&hl=en&ll=42.236572,-83.758821&spn=0.01004,0.01575&sll=42.235683,-83.754686&sspn=0.010041,0.01575&geocode=FSN3hAIdQgEC-ymNATjj5K88iDFijRVWu5fPEg%3BFRh-hAId2eQB-yH_y2j3XAk_jik18Nxw4q88iDH_y2j3XAk_jg&gl=us&mra=ls&t=m&z=16

justcurious

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 9:05 p.m.

This is truly tragic. My condolences to his family and those who loved him.

Ron

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.

I was so hoping they would have found him alive and well, but just hiding because he was scared. My prayers go out to the family for such a tragic loss. I do hope that if it is him for sure, that there is no foul play involved with his death. And to the Tracy Family, my prayers going out to you for the grief you will endure from this loss. It won't be easy but just know that you now have an angel in heaven watching over your every move.

Cash

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 8:48 p.m.

I am so sorry.

Linda Peck

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.

Blessings for Nathan Tracy and his family and friends.

Billy

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.

Sometimes I really hate being right. I REALLY REALLY hate being right.... There probably wasn't anything anyone could have done either....shock is a very deadly state to be in.

Mike

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.

This is so sad. I would ask that the Ann Arbor community pray for this family during this most difficult time.

widmer

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.

Gosh, really sorry to hear this is how it turned out. We were just at Meijer on S. Main a couple hours ago and noticed the fliers on peoples' windshields. My condolences.

ummsw

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 7:24 p.m.

So very sad..my heart and prayers go out to Nathan's family.

Lola

Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.

My heart is breaking for his mother and the rest of his family. I had hoped this was just a scared kid afraid to go home. You have my deepest sympathy, Mrs. Tracy.