MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Authorities excavating woods in southeastern Michigan for the remains of a 12-year-old girl last seen in 1979 also could be looking for the bodies of up to half a dozen others who have been reported missing over the years. Digging resumed Tuesday in Macomb Township, about 30 miles from downtown Detroit.

The search started Monday for the remains of Kimberly King, but Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer told WJBK-TV that there could be others buried in the area.

"We have probable cause to believe that (Kimberly) is buried there," Dwyer said. "We also believe that there's maybe four to six other girls that have been reported missing that are buried there. We certainly are convinced we have the right area. It's just a sad type of situation."

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Dwyer did not give the names of the other missing girls.

In 2008, the remains of 13-year-old Cindy Zarzycki were found near the same area. Zarzycki disappeared in 1986 after being lured to a Dairy Queen in Eastpointe, just north of Detroit.

Arthur Ream Michigan Department of Corrections

Arthur Ream was convicted of first-degree murder in her slaying. He later was temporarily released from prison to lead police to Zarzycki's body. He told investigators that Zarzycki's body was buried near a creek. He also drew a map of the site and spent about an hour at the search scene with authorities before being returned to prison.

Zarzycki had been dating Ream's son at the time of her disappearance. Authorities said Ream tricked her by telling her that he was planning a surprise party for his son.

Ream, 68, is serving life in prison. At the time of his conviction for Zarzycki's killing, he already was serving a 15-year sentence on an unrelated molestation charge involving a 14-year-old girl.

Officers using shovels and excavation equipment began digging at the Macomb Township site Monday. Police in Warren, Michigan, about 17 miles from the Macomb Township dig site, have long searched for answers in the 1979 death of 14-year-old King, and the newspaper reports investigators are hoping to find her at the site.

King went missing while visiting her grandparents in Warren.

Ream has not been charged in connection with her death, or for any of the other missing girls.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to indicate police are searching for King in addition to the remains of four to six other missing girls.