Remains of Man Who Vanished from 2018 Michigan Music Festival Found: Cause of Death Still Unknown
The remains of a man who disappeared from a Michigan music festival in 2018 have been found, according to a confirmation from Michigan state police. The bone-chilling discovery was made near Rothbury, the regular site of the annual Electric Forest music festival.
About the Disappearance
Kevin Graves, who would have been 34, vanished from the Electric Forest music festival in Oceana County’s Rothbury on July 1, 2018. He was reported missing two days later by his then-girlfriend. The incident sent shockwaves across the local community, catalyzing an intensive investigation that culminated in the recent finding.
The confirmation of identity came after detectives from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Hart Post pieced pivotal pieces together. The remains were first discovered on Monday, December 30, 2024 by two hunters who stumbled upon them while clearing a path on private property near the festival grounds. Kevin’s wallet, phone, and festival wristband were also found nearby.
Family’s Ordeal
Following the confirmation, Kevin’s father, Gary Graves, 80, expressed his emotions saying, “not much more we can say except that at least now we can have a little peace.” He further thanked everyone for their support, prayers, and assistance during their difficult time.
Talking about the gruesome discovery, Gary explained that the family was shattered upon receiving the news from lead detective Sgt. David Bach of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. “All of a sudden, he said what he said and my wife collapsed,” Gary recalled.
Further Investigation
While the discovery solves part of the mystery, much remains unclear, including the cause of Kevin Graves’ death, which so far remains undetermined. Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard assured that once the remains’ identity is confirmed, further work will be conducted to ascertain how Kevin ended up where he was found and the cause of his death.
Persistent Searches
Searches for Kevin were conducted in the past, but were unsuccessful. The fact that the remains were found in an area previously searched by law enforcement dogs has raised questions. “With the dogs and everything they claim they had running around there looking, I can’t see how we missed him,” Gary confessed.
Seeking Closure
Awaiting answers to these burning questions, Kevin’s grieving family is hoping the truth will finally surface, to bring them some form of closure. “I’m hoping that they’re going to find something that’s going to help figure out what happened to him,” Gary said.
As we await further updates, we are reminded of the seriousness of such cases and the importance of community vigilance. We hope the resolution of this case brings some comfort to the grieving family and friends of Kevin Graves.
Author: STAFF HERE PLYMOUTH WRITER
The PLYMOUTH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPlymouth.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Plymouth, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Plymouth Ice Festival, Art in the Park, and the Plymouth Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Plymouth, plus leading businesses in automotive and retail that power the local economy such as Roush Industries and Downtown Plymouth businesses. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HERENovi.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
