08/13/25 - Missing Teen Case Re-Opens After 30-Years

At the time, 15-year-old Melissa Simmons went missing, her case had many questions. Now officers say they appear closer to some answers.

Mason County Sheriffs are re-opening a 30-year-old cold case after new evidence has been uncovered.

The death of Melissa Simmons in 1993 has gone unsolved. What police did know was that Melissa was last seen on June 23, 1993 walking to a Scottville Wesco.Her body was discovered later that day by a fisherman in the Pere Marquette River.

Her death was ruled a homicide.

On August 9th, officers say they exhumed Simmons from her resting place in Mason County. This is the first time the agency has performed this type of work on a case. What exactly led officers to exhume her body was not disclosed, but Sheriff Kim Cole says members of the public have asked for a renewal of the case and are hoping for a conclusion. New evidence was taken to a lab in Virginia, where testing has resulted in progress, say police.

Now officers say the evidence they have, as well as over a hundred interviews, have led to a new DNA profile that has emerged. Sheriffs say they won’t release more information at this time, to prevent compromising their investigation. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mason County Sheriff's Office at 231-843-3475 and speak with Det. Kyle Boyd (ext. 137) or Det. Sgt. Mike Kenney (et. 136).