Brown County law enforcement officials held a press conference Monday afternoon regarding the discovery of female human remains in Coleman County that are thought to be that of Michele Reiter of Brownwood, according to police.
Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley stated that multiple agencies worked together to pinpoint a location which eventually led to the discovery of the remains thought to be that of Reiter. The remains were found in a “remote location in Coleman County,” officials said and that they were found by an officer who was searching in that area. Officials said that technology aided in the discovery of the remains, but authorities would not elaborate on what role technology played. Although police state that they believe the remains are that of Reiter, autopsy results will confirm the identity.
The cause and time of death are unknown, and the case is being investigated as a death investigation until the Tarrant County Coroner’s office completes an autopsy. According to Corley, the death was not recent and officers could not determine anything at the scene because of the state of decomposition.
Although her death has not been officially determined as a murder case, there is a person of interest being investigated in connection with the case, officials said.
“I would say there is a person of strong interest,” said Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs.
Corley stated that no information regarding evidence in the case can be released due to the sensitivity of the investigation that is still ongoing. He said that he understands the community’s concern and the need for answers, having suffered such a loss; however the importance of preparing a case properly demands that details be withheld at this time.
“I know the community is concerned,” stated Corley. “But I have to balance their concern for the community and our business we have to do here at hand; we are not done here yet. We have a long way to go and I cannot emphasize enough that this is still an open case.”
Both the Brownwood Police Department and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office expressed their appreciation of the public’s patience. Agencies including Brownwood Fire Department, BCSO, Texas Rangers, Coleman County Sheriff’s’ Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice dog and horse teams participated in the search for Reiter.
“We hoped for the best but prepared for the worst,” stated Grubbs. “I feel like the community is safe, we don’t have a random killer out there.”
Both Grubbs and Corley stated that they felt there would be closure soon in the case, although a timeframe could not be determined at this time. They said that they felt this would be a strong case when it is completed.
“We have a long way to go but this (locating a body) is a major hurdle still,” said Corley.
Reiter was last seen on September 10th around 6:30pm when she left for a dinner date that evening, according to her roommate. According to police reports, Reiter’s roommate reported her missing on September 11th after Reiter did not come home for the night. She also did not report for work that morning at Home Depot, where she had worked for approximately 4 years. The missing Brownwood woman’s vehicle was found abandoned Wednesday, September 13th at the Bert Massey Sports Complex.
Friends and family gathered the evening of Thursday, September 14th for a candlelight vigil for Reiter at Coggin Park.
Texas Rangers arrested 53-year-old Lanny Marvin Bush Thursday, September 20th in San Angelo on a charge of online impersonation and a parole violation. Police won’t say if the charge is related to the Reiter case. According to Bush, who contacted BrownwoodNews.com last Saturday, September 15th, he is Reiter’s ex-boyfriend and now lives in San Angelo. Bush said that he was upset that he was being accused of wrongdoing by several people who knew Reiter.
Friends of Reiter organized a pair of search parties on Sunday, September 23 to search the county for the then missing woman.
Pictured above are Brownwood Police Sergeant James Kidd, BPD Chief Mike Corley, and BCSO Sheriff Bobby Grubbs at the press conference held on Monday.
See a video of the press conference below.
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