First performances held at Macomb performing arts center after body found

Clinton Township ― Patrons on Friday evening flowed into Macomb Community College's Center for the Performing Arts for a holiday ballet performance, the first since a man's body was found in HVAC system in a restricted area of the same building.

The Macomb Ballet Company was scheduled to give five performances of "The Nutcracker" throughout Sunday, even as deodorizing of duct work was scheduled to continue throughout the weekend, said Jeanne M. Nicol, MCC's executive director of communications and public relations.

The first "Nutcracker" performance was at 7 p.m. Friday and two more performances were planned for Saturday and two more Sunday.

Rehearsals for the show continued throughout the week, even after the body of Jason Thompson, 36, of Clinton Township was found Sunday in a remote and restricted area of MCC's Macomb Center on M-59 and Garfield Road. The father of two had been missing for weeks, according to family members.

"There were no public programs scheduled during the week, but rehearsals were held," said Nicol. "The Nutcracker performances scheduled for this weekend are proceeding as scheduled."

More:Death of Clinton Twp. man found in ventilation system ruled an accident

On Wednesday, the Oakland County Medical Examiner, which did Thompson's autopsy, said he asphyxiated after he became trapped in the HVAC system. The autopsy found the manner of death was an accident. MCC's police department is investigating Thompson's death.

Classes located in the L building, close to the Macomb Center, meanwhile, will resume Monday after they were shifted to other locations this week, Nicol said. The HVAC system where Thompson was found also serves the L Building.

"Cleaning and sanitizing have been completed," she said on Friday.

A GoFundMe to raise money for Thompson's funeral expenses, meanwhile, had raised more than $5,000 as of Friday night.