MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN — Authorities have confirmed that the body of a Metro Detroit woman who had been missing for several months was discovered in Lake Erie Saturday morning, bringing a tragic end to a case that began when she disappeared late last year.
Investigators identified the woman as Jeanne Renee Peterson, 34, of Sterling Heights. Officials say Peterson had been listed as a missing person after she was last seen on December 19, 2025, when she reportedly jumped from the Belle Isle MacArthur Bridge in Detroit.
The discovery was made along the Lake Erie shoreline in Monroe County, several miles south of Detroit.
Body Discovered Floating Near Monroe Township Shoreline
According to Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough, the discovery was reported around 11:27 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026, after Monroe County Central Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a body floating in the water.
The call came from the 13000 block of Shady Lane, located just offshore from Bolles Harbor in Monroe Township, an area that sits along the western edge of Lake Erie.
Emergency crews quickly responded to the scene.
Members of the Monroe Township Fire Department entered the water and were able to recover the body before bringing it safely to shore so investigators could begin the identification process.
Authorities Identify the Victim as Missing Sterling Heights Woman
After the recovery, investigators confirmed the body belonged to Jeanne Renee Peterson, who had been reported missing through Michigan State Police following her disappearance in December.
Authorities say Peterson had last been seen near the Belle Isle MacArthur Bridge in Detroit, where she was believed to have jumped from the structure.
Her disappearance had been under investigation since that time, with law enforcement agencies attempting to determine what happened after she was last seen.
The discovery in Lake Erie now appears to provide answers to the case, though officials say additional examination will determine the final details surrounding her death.
Autopsy Ordered as Investigation Continues
Following the recovery, Peterson’s body was transported to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for a full autopsy.
Officials say the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case, though no additional details about the timeline of events have yet been released.
The investigation is currently being handled by Detective Parker, according to the sheriff’s office.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have information related to the case to contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau at 734-240-7530.
Cases like this often leave families and communities searching for answers long after a person goes missing. As investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the discovery in Lake Erie, officials say they remain committed to determining the full timeline of events. For more breaking stories and updates, visit GordonRamsayClub.com.
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