Search for Missing Lapeer County Man Put on Hold After Body Found

For the past week or so we've been talking about the missing elderly man from Dryden Township that went missing on July 19.

79-year-old Joseph Mindelli of Lapeer Couty went missing over a week ago and the community has been out searching nonstop, The search was put on hold on Wednesday after a K-9 unit searching for Mindelli found a body in a lake.

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According to ABC12, a body was found Wednesday by a Michigan State Police K-9 unit that could not be identified at the scene, because it appeared to have been in the water for some time.

It was a moment that I'm sure everyone feared. Even though at the moment, it's not clear whether or not it's the body of Joseph Mindelli, I think it's safe to say that they're assuming it is. I mean, it's Dryden and as far as I know, there aren't a lot of people missing from that area.

Mindelli's family became concerned when he was not at his residence in the 5200 block of Casey Road in Dryden Township on July 19. They said it’s not unusual for him to go on morning walks, but by the afternoon, they became worried that something was wrong.

Earlier this week, the family was asking that residents search their property and any security cameras they may have or even deer blinds.

As gut-wrenching as this must be for the family, at least if it is Mindelli, it will be the closure they need. We'll update the story as soon as we get the official word.