Body Found in Ventilation System of Macomb Community College Identified as Jason Anthony Thompson

Accident – Death – Obituary News : MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – New developments have emerged in the case of a body found inside the ventilation system at Macomb Community College in Clinton Township. A detailed timeline sheds light on the events leading up to the discovery of Jason Anthony Thompson, 36, in the HVAC system.

The incident came to light on Sunday (Nov. 26) when a foul odor was reported in a specific area of the building. This prompted officials to investigate, leading to the shocking discovery of Thompson’s remains.

According to officials, Thompson was last seen on October 25. He had informed his family that he was evading the police and was present on the college’s center campus. In a series of text messages, Thompson had mentioned being on the run. He further claimed to be hiding in the ventilation system, specifically in the performing arts center. However, communication abruptly ceased after this exchange.

Thompson’s family reported him missing to the Sterling Heights police on November 1. Concerned for his safety, they took action to find him.

On November 7, Sterling Heights police requested assistance from the Macomb Community College police to inspect the roof of the performing arts center. The objective was to determine if there were any signs indicating an attempt to access the ventilation system. Macomb Community College police Chief William Leavens revealed that his officers carried out this inspection from a vantage point on a higher roof. However, they did not find any apparent signs of entry.

It wasn’t until November 26 that the lingering stench led the college police to discover Thompson’s body. The foul odor emanated from the Macomb Center, prompting officials to conduct a thorough examination. Upon closer inspection, they noticed that the meshing of the vent was bent. Chief Leavens remarked that the bent meshing was difficult to detect unless one stood directly in front of it. Even with the presence of facilities experts, it remained uncertain whether a person could have accessed the vent.

Despite the discovery, Thompson’s family is left with many unanswered questions. They wonder if a more thorough examination of the vent on November 7 could have led to finding him earlier. Chief Leavens defended the actions of the Macomb Community College police, stating that there were no apparent points of entry for a person. He mentioned collaborating with the facilities department to identify potential access points, emphasizing that the area was extremely small.

In an interview, Chief Leavens was asked about the possibility of officers getting a closer look at the vent. He explained that due to the restricted nature of the area and its small size, it was deemed unlikely that anyone could have entered.

As the investigation continues, the discovery of Thompson’s body has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the inspection carried out on November 7. His family is left grappling with the possibility that earlier action could have prevented this tragic outcome. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and the need to consider every possibility, even in seemingly inaccessible areas..