Police: Body found in Detroit sewer was missing man

A body found Friday in a sewer drain on Detroit's west side belonged to a man missing since last month, police said.

Charles Fitzgerald, the city's assistant police chief, said investigators believe the victim was involved in a fight at a home on Wildemere Street on Jan. 27.

Fitzgerald made the remarks during a Monday news conference at Detroit Police Department headquarters.

"We had an early indication that he was shot in the head and transported," Fitzgerald said. "We received an anonymous tip that he could be in a sewer in that area, which led to a search by our detectives and canine unit."

The assistant chief said police not only found the victim's body but also a weapon underneath it. He said the weapon has been sent to the Michigan State Police crime lab for analysis.

Furthermore, Fitzgerald said police are looking for two people of interest in connection with the man's death. "We're looking for them, they know we're looking for them," he said. "It would help us a lot if they came forward."

According to media reports, the victim was Jermaine Fairley, 28. His family told WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) that he was at a friend's funeral at the home on Wildemere when he was shot in the back of the head.

Relatives set up a GoFundMe page on Saturday to raise $10,000 for a funeral, according to the fundraising website. As of Tuesday morning, it had raised about $1,000.

The page said Fairley was shot during an argument at the funeral, which was held a few doors down from his home.

The post said the suspects put the victim in his car and drove away. Police later found the burned-out remains of the vehicle, but the body was missing, according to the website.

Family members said police found his body on Friday.

"Jermaine was so loving and genuine, he truly did not deserve this," the page said. "He leaves behind 5 young children who loved him dearly."

Also Monday, Fitzgerald updated the media about a fatal Saturday night shooting and the search for four suspects who stole the victim's car.

Anyone with information on either case should call Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez