Cops, FBI search Warren warehouse in decades-old missing-girl cases

Christina Hall | Detroit Free Press

Nearly three months after authorities stopped digging for the remains of Kimberly King and possibly five other metro Detroit girls who went missing decades ago, Warren Police searched an unoccupied warehouse that was used by the man they suspect in the missing girls' cases.

A warehouse in the south end of Warren once used by convicted killer Arthur Ream was searched Monday, with undisclosed items taken as evidence, Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer said. He declined to provide details on what authorities found.

Ream, who was convicted in the murder of 13-year-old Cindy Zarzycki of Eastpointe, used the warehouse years ago when he had a carpet business, Dwyer said.

Dwyer said the last time Ream was at the warehouse was before 1994. He said authorities were a bit surprised to find that the warehouse "hasn't been disturbed" since then.

Dwyer said there was enough probable cause to secure a search warrant, but he was guarded in providing details. He said there were a number of items to be looked at as possible evidence in the ongoing case — "items that will enhance our investigation."

No remains were found at the warehouse, Dwyer said.

Dwyer said the FBI, which is part of the task force, assisted in executing the search warrant. The federal agency also helped in part of a week-long dig in May at a wooded site in Macomb Township for the remains of King and possibly the other girls.

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The dig site near 23 Mile Road and North Avenue was near where Ream kept beehives four decades ago and where Zarzycki's body was found in 2008 after Ream was convicted of her murder, Warren Mayor Jim Fouts previously said. Zarzycki went missing in 1986. She was dating Ream's son, Scott, at the time of her death.

Ream was convicted of first-degree murder in her death and directed authorities to where her body was buried before he was sentenced to life in prison in 2008.

King, 12, was last seen in September 1979 in Warren.

Dwyer said the missing girls' case has been "up and down" for investigators and that they were "cautiously optimistic" during the springtime search in Macomb Township.

He said authorities are going to continue their investigation to bring closure to King's family and possibly the families of the other missing girls.

Dwyer said police won't be releasing more information until they have more conclusive evidence.

He declined comment on whether authorities have done other searches since the dig in May and the warehouse search Monday. He said it's "always possible" authorities may go back to the Macomb Township location, which Dwyer previously called a "grave site."

Dwyer previously said authorities were redirected to the Macomb Township area after it was reported that Ream was bragging in prison about killing four to six people.

He said Ream, 69, who is suspected in the other missing girl cases, was interviewed and failed a polygraph. Fellow prisoners were also interviewed. Ream stopped cooperating with authorities.

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.