MISSAUKEE COUNTY, MICH. Detectives from the Michigan State Police (MSP) Cadillac Post are
investigating the deaths of six individuals, including a suspect, discovered in three different locations, in
Northern Lower Michigan.
As investigators continue to gather information and notify next of kin, the ages and genders of the victims are not being released at this time.
Preliminary timeline of events which are subject to change as the investigation continues:
✔️ At approximately 11:40 a.m. today, Friday, Aug. 14, troopers were dispatched to a home on
South LaChance Road in Lake Township for a report of a person who had been shot.
✔️ Upon arrival, troopers located three deceased individuals and one person in critical condition,
who was transported to an area hospital.
✔️ The identified suspect, 39-year-old Chad Hickman, fled the scene prior to the troopers’ arrival
which initiated a large-scale police response and search with support from the MSP Emergency
Support Team and Aviation and Canine units.
✔️ During the search, a fourth deceased individual was located at a second, separate home in
Missaukee County.
✔️ During the search, troopers observed the suspect’s vehicle near a wooded area close to Whitlock
Lake in Caldwell Township. As the search continued, troopers located Hickman and another
individual deceased in the wooded area.
The MSP is asking community members to avoid all three areas so investigators can safely and
effectively process each scene.
“This situation is heartbreaking for the community and challenging for the investigators involved,” said Lt. Ashley Miller. “We remain committed to conducting a thorough investigation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.”
Troopers were assisted by the MSP Aviation Unit, Emergency Support Team, Canine Unit, Michigan
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), U.S. Forest Service, Missaukee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Missaukee County Road Commission.
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