Missing Independence Township mom found dead in Oakland County

An Independence Township woman missing since the weekend has been found dead, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies found Lacie Nicole Santia, 38, Monday afternoon in Waterford Oaks County Park.

“There appears to be no foul play but in any event we are checking everything to be sure,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “We ask that you keep the family in your prayers.”

The sherrif's office asked for the public's assistance Sunday in locating Santia after deputies found her unoccupied vehicle Saturday in the Waterford Oaks County Park parking lot with the keys in the ignition. Her family reported her missing at 2 a.m. Saturday with concern about her emotional state.

She is the mother of two, and runs a concession stand at St. Mary's Orchard Lake Ice Arena with her husband, Marco, friends posted in tribute on Facebook Monday. Her father-in-law owns Gino's Pizzeria and Restaurant in Keego Harbor and posted updates on the business' Facebook.

Friends and family in Waterford Township and Keego Harbor organized a search party Monday at Waterford Oaks but suspended it around 1:45 p.m. after Santia was located. The Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit, search and rescue team, K-9 unit, aviation unit as well as Waterford Township police, U.S. Border Patrol, and Metroparks Police Search and Rescue Team also participated in a search.

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