Authorities believe a body found July 15 in the heavy weeds approximately 20 yards off White Horse Lane in Genoa Township is that of Matthew Joseph Paupore, 49, who was reported missing on July 8.
At approximately 8:50 p.m. July 8, deputies from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting a missing and possibly endangered male at a residence in the 800 block of Westbury Boulevard in Genoa Township who was later identified as Paupore.
According to information from the Sheriff’s Office, Paupore left his residence on foot. After speaking with several of his family members and friends, deputies became concerned for Paupore’s safety and entered his home where they found two notes indicating he intended to harm himself. The Sheriff’s Office searched the surrounding area with its K-9 unit and drone team, but were unsuccessful because of dense weeds and heavy tree cover. Additional searches were conducted on subsequent days.
On Wednesday, July 15, residents of the Westbury apartment complex reported a foul odor in the area. At approximately 2:11 p.m. deputies found the body of a man in clothing that matched what Paupore had been reportedly wearing before he disappeared. A firearm recovered at the scene matched a pistol missing from Paupore’s home. Preliminary findings show the man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Based on the preliminary investigation, authorities believe the body is that of Paupore, but further investigation is needed to confirm his identity. The body was transported by the Livingston County Medical Examiner’s investigator to the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
This incident remains under active investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Lapeer County Search and Rescue, Livingston County EMS, and the Brighton Area Fire Department.
