Body of missing doctor found in Jackson County pond

JACKSON, Mich. (WILX) - The search for a missing doctor in Jackson County came to a tragic end Tuesday.

Authorities confirmed that Dr. Bolek Payan’s body was found by divers in a pond on his property. Police said detectives were able to gain access to his home’s video surveillance camera system, where they saw Payan leave the residence on foot Dec. 22.

After K-9 units, drones and search parties were unable to find anything on land, police said they cut holes into the ice of the pond Monday to search the water. Divers were able to locate his body under the ice Tuesday at about 12:30 p.m.

Police said Payan was likely dead before he was reported missing. Payan had been missing for several days and was last seen Dec. 22. at Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson.

Relatives and friends said they had traveled to Jackson County expecting to celebrate the holidays with Payan. Instead, they said no one has heard from him since he left the hospital Thursday.

Those close to Payan said his disappearance was uncharacteristic of him and they were concerned for his safety.

“Bolek dropped his dogs at 8 a.m. He told us that he was going to pick them up at 6:30, he already fed them, and that he’ll feed them again when he picks them up at 6:30 that night,” said Nicole Keiser. “So for his truck to be here without coming to the house to pick up the dogs that would be out of character. Something happened and I don’t know what.”

The Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an autopsy and toxicology testing.

More: Missing In Michigan

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