A Lenawee County woman was found deceased only a Fenton Township lake on Wednesday.
The Tri-County Times reports that deputies with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at about 10 a.m. to the 5000 block of Islandview Drive in Fenton Township after a homeowner called 911 after an SUV was reported to be blocking the driveway of a homeowner.
The vehicle was unoccupied, however a pile of clothing and shoes were found on the roof footprints were seen leading from the vehicle out onto Pine Lake.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said their dive team then responded and drones were launched as they started searching for the driver of the abandoned vehicle.
Several hours later, a homeowner on the north end of Pine Lake reported an individual laying on the ice. First responders determined that she was dead, most likely from the elements.
An autopsy and toxicology testing were ordered on the victim, identified as 44-year-old Lisa Marie Rothfuss of Tecumseh.
The Tri-County Times reports that Swanson said Rothfuss, who had mental health issues, borrowed a car on Friday, Dec. 23 and drove off after telling her family she needed to clear her head. A check of her cell phone records showed its last ping was on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 10:30 p.m. in Detroit.
Sheriff Swanson said there were no signs of foul play nor any indication that Rothfuss had any relatives or friends in Fenton Township.
Additionally, Rothfuss’ last post on Facebook was on Dec. 22 when she asked for donations to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline with the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
