Contact: Sgt. Joel Roon - 616.632.6106
Email: joel.roon@kentcountymi.gov
Supervisor Approval: 
Case Number: 19-113668
Incident Type: Missing Person

On Sunday, 3/31/2019, at approx. 9:50 PM, the missing person, Russell Anderson, was found deceased in his unattached garage by family members. The garage was searched several times by law enforcement and family members after Anderson was reported missing with negative results. At some point after he was reported missing, Anderson returned to the garage without notifying his family members of his whereabouts. There was evidence of drug use found at the scene. An autopsy was conducted on April 1, 2019 and there were no signs of foul play. The final results of the autopsy are pending toxicology. The date of death is estimated to be on or about March 28, 2019.

UPDATE - March 30, 2019 – Investigators’ efforts to locate 56 year-old Russell Anderson have been extensive and are ongoing. Recently, detectives located surveillance video from a Gaines Township retail store which shows what Anderson was last seen wearing before he disappeared. The images were taken on 3/18/2019 at 10:48 a.m., and he did not return home after these images were taken. Mr. Anderson was seen riding his bicycle near Kalamazoo Ave SE between 44^th and 68^th St SE shortly after leaving the store. If you have any information that could help investigators locate Mr. Anderson please call Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

GAINES TWP, Kent County – Mich:  A Gaines Township man has gone missing after leaving his house on a bicycle Monday morning around 9:00 a.m.   56-year-old Russell Anderson routinely leaves his home on a bicycle to ride around the area looking for returnable cans.  He has not been seen since he left home which is unusual according to family who said Mr. Anderson always returns home to care for his ailing father.  

Mr. Anderson was last known to be wearing an orange reflective vest and jeans.  He was likely wearing a hooded sweatshirt of an unknown color.  His bicycle was described as a mountain bike of an unknown make, model, or color.  

Residents are encouraged to keep an eye out for Mr. Anderson and call 911 if he is located.  Anyone with information pertaining to his whereabouts are asked to call 616-632-6339 or anonymous tips can be called in to Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.  

The below photo is 3-4 years old but is the most recent available.