Missing 34-year old Sara Burns Found Deceased in Leota

Clare County Sheriff Department Press Release

On 01/28/23, the Clare County Sheriff's Office with assistance from outside agencies conducted a search operation in Leota, Michigan in efforts to locate Sara Burns. During the course of the search, members of a search team located the body of Sara, deceased. The Clare County Sheriff's Office has been in contact with immediate family in the hours and days following the discovery. Sheriff John S. Wilson along with the members of the Clare County Sheriff's Office offers it's condolences to Sara's family and friends.

This closure to the family could not have happened without the help of the search and rescue team law enforcement agencies, family, friends and the local community. The Clare County Sheriff's Office wants to extend a sincere thank you to the following organizations; Alpena County Search and Rescue, Alliance K-9 Seach and Rescue, K-9One, Lapeer County Search and Rescue, Michigan Search and Rescue, Ogemaw County Sheriff's Office, Clare City Police Department, Michigan DNR, The Trails End Pit Stop, The Trails End Bar, Leota Motel, Leota Community Church, Harrison Community Fire Department, Clare-Stocking Funeral Home.

On 01/23/23 the Sheriff's Office was contacted by the Ogemaw County Sheriff's Office regarding a missing person case they were handling. Ogemaw County received a report of the missing 34-year old female missing on 01/17/23. On 1/11/23 the Clare County Sheriff's Office had towed the missing persons abandoned vehicle in the Leota area prior to her being reported as missing.

Clare County and Ogeman County Sheriff's Offices have since been searching the area where the vehicle was located northeast of Leota by the use of K9's, drones, and canvassing. Additional search and rescue crews were also going to be assisting as the search continued.