Family seeks answers after ruling on son's death near Electric Forest
GRANT TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The parents of a man found dead years after going missing from the Electric Forest music festival say they're not giving up in their search for answers.
Kevin Graves, a 28-year-old from Oakland County, from the festival near Rothbury in 2018.
The last seven years have felt like a lifetime for Kevin's parents, Gary and Kathy Graves. It's been years and years of trying to find out what happened to Kevin.
'It's still open in our hearts,' Kathy Graves said. 'We'll never be the same.'
Initial searches throughout the area came up empty. Family and volunteers handed out missing person flyers at the 2019 festival. In 2023, they helped with his face outside the festival entrance.
It wasn't until late last year that a sheriff's deputy came to their front door and told them Kevin's in a wooded area not far from the festival.
'I wish that knock on the door was for something else,' Kathy Graves said. 'Something more definitive.'
Kevin's wallet and phone were also discovered nearby. His parents couldn't believe he was found there then and not before.
Remains ID'd as missing man, whose sister recalls his 'kind spirit'
'They searched once, they searched twice, they searched numerous times in that area,' Kathy Graves said. 'Why the dogs didn't find anything? That doesn't make sense.'
Now, they've gotten word from the Oceana County Medical Examiner that the office has ruled Kevin's cause of death as undetermined. That often happens when remains have been out in the elements for so many years. Gary and Kathy Graves say they were told there were no obvious signs of trauma.
News 8 reached out to the Oceana County Medical Examiner Sunday asking more about the report. The office has not yet responded. Michigan State Police said after Kevin's remains were found that there were no signs of foul play.
Human remains found near festival site where man went missing
'We're not done,' Kathy Graves said. 'We're not done looking for answers. I don't think it's the end of the story at all.'
Soon, Kevin's parents will go out with Michigan State Police to the site where he was found. They're not satisfied by the lack of answers in the report. They hope eventually they'll find out how Kevin ended up there.
'Somebody knows something,' Gary Graves said. 'Somebody's afraid to speak. And until somebody speaks up, it's gonna keep going. We're gonna be looking.'
'Maybe one day, they'll come forward or somebody will say something,' Kathy Graves said. 'I guess we're looking for justice.'
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