Sheriff: Michigan college student who called seeking help found dead in water

Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson says 21-year-old Parker J. Haire of Cass City was found dead Wednesday morning in the Sebewaing River, more than 2 miles from where his vehicle was found stuck in mud a day earlier.

Hanson says Haire, who attended Michigan State University, had called 911 Tuesday seeking help, saying he was cold, wet and apparently lost. His location was tracked to Sebewaing Township, about 95 miles north of Detroit. Investigators say he may have been at a party earlier.

“This was over two miles from where the victim’s vehicle was found (Thursday) locked and stuck in the mud at Bay Shore Camp,” Hanson said.

Around midday Tuesday, a Michigan Sugar employee reported finding Haire’s vehicle stuck in mud near a treatment pond fence.

While walking in near-darkness, it’s believed Haire ended up on ice that was only three inches thick and unable to support his weight, said Hanson, who added that tall weeds concealed his body from the view of searchers.

“Typically in conditions of such, a human being is not able to survive over one hour when in cold water,” said Hanson. “Water temperatures were estimated to be in the mid-30s, not to mention that the air temperatures (at the time) were between the teens and mid-20s.”