Fruitland, Idaho (CBS2) - Fruitland Police believe Michael Vaughan has died, but his remains have not been found.
Michael would be 6 years-old now. He disappeared July 27th, 2021.
During a news conference on Thursday, Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff said investigators believe there are four people involved in the abduction of Michael Vaughan.
Two of the individuals are in custody, Sarah and Stacey Wondra.
Sarah Wondra is being held in the Payette County Jail for failing to report a death to law enforcement.
Stacey Wondra is currently being held in the Washington County Jail on unrelated charges.
Police want to question at least two others about the case.
Brandon Shurtliff of Kuna, Idaho is believed to be in North Dakota.
Adrien Lucienne of Toledo, Ohio is currently believed to be in Toledo, but floats between California and Ohio. Police believe that both Shurtliff and Lucienne have first-hand knowledge of Michael’s abduction
Police say the Wondras were living at 1102 Redwing St. in Fruitland at the time of Michael’s disappearance. They believe Sarah and Stacey have first-hand knowledge of Michael’s abduction.
Officers say they received credible information the remains of Michael could be found at the home on Redwing Street.
The Fruitland Police Department obtained a search warrant for the residence along with the front and back yards.
The search warrant was served on Nov. 11.
When entering the home, officers found Sarah Wondra and arrested her based on probable cause that she had knowledge of Michael’s death and failed to report the death to law enforcement.
On November 12th, the Fruitland Police Department joined by the Idaho State Police, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue, Fruitland Fire Department, and the Fruitland Public Works Department, began excavating of the back yard of Wondra’s home.
During that process, Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue and Mountain States Detection Dogs deployed multiple Certified Human Remains Detection K9’s on the property, all alerting to the presence of human remains.
Ground penetrating radar was also deployed, detecting anomalies in the yard.
Crews completed the excavation process -- four feet deep -- and removed over 250 yards of dirt.
Prior to filling the yard back in, crews sifted the dirt for any potential human remains.
They did not find Michael’s remains.
Investigators strongly believe that, based on the evidence, Michael was abducted and is dead, and that his remains were buried and later moved from the property.
Police will be searching a neighboring home on Friday.
They have received more than 1,500 tips.
Tips can be sent to the Fruitland Police Department (208) 452-3110, Tipsters may remain anonymous, findmichael@fruitland.org or to Crime Stoppers, 343COPS.com.
Here is a link you can share with information on the wanted men.
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