2003 Detector_ of the Year

K9 Officer Mark Brayton & K9 Clifford
Ann Arbor Police Department

On April 24, 2003 Ann Arbor Police Officer Mark Brayton and his K9 partner Clifford responded to assist Canton and Belleville, Michigan Police Departments in a homicide/suicide investigation. Information had been obtained and develops a suspect that provides the basis for the search of the suspect's property for the remains of his missing 17-year-old daughter.

Officer Brayton and K9 Clifford, a certified cadaver team, began checking the grounds. K9 Clifford showed interest outside the main residence near an addition to the home. The team entered the basement and K9 Clifford began indicating near a cinder block wall that was covered with plywood. On investigating further, having removed the plywood and revealing 10-12 pieces of cinder block which did not appear original wall construction.

Crime scene investigators started removing the blocks and revealed a large room on the other side. The room appeared to contained items to been occupied by a younger female having dolls, toys, TV and other items. The room also contained a large wooden container in the corner that was covered by debris and dirt.

The area was excavated from outside of the residence to reveal a 6'x 12' foot cement slab room nearly 1 foot below the ground surface. The wooden plywood box, which was the width of the room, was examined further. The box contained two sections. The box was covered with a large amount of topsoil and other debris. Inside was more topsoil over plywood covering a large amount of cement, which was on top of another box constructed of 2"x4" pieces of wood and sealed with sealant.

Inside this make shift coffin was more topsoil covering a comforter that held the body of the missing daughter.

With the assistance of Officer Mark Brayton & K9 Clifford this case was brought to a conclusion on the heinous crime that surrounded the disappearance of this young female. The successful results in the solving of such a tragic event are sad but give closure that may not have been possible without the efforts of Officer Brayton & K9 Clifford.