FRUITLAND, Idaho (CBS2) — This Saturday, July 27, 2024, marks three years since the disappearance of Michael "Monkey Vaughan from his Fruitland home.
Michael, who would now be eight years old, vanished from his home in Fruitland, seemingly without a trace.
Fruitland Police began digging up parts of a backyard blocks from Michael's home well over a year ago, providing a glimmer of hope that this now years-long missing person case would have some resolution. However, hopes were soon dashed as the Police could not recover any remains.
CBS2 spoke with Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff on Tuesday. Chief Huff tells us that two detectives continue to work this case each week as tips continue to come in. Chief Huff says Fruitland PD has received new tips just this week, and that he believes his department has a firm understanding of what happened to Michael, though he didn't elaborate further.
Residents of the home that was searched, Sarah and Stacey Wondra, were considered suspects by police, but only Sarah Wondra faced charges of failing to report a death to the coroner. Those charges were later dropped by the Prosecutor's office without much explanation.
In a press conference after the search of the backyard, Fruitland Police Chief Huff said that they may have found sufficient evidence showing Michael was once buried on that property, but was later moved. No evidence has since been publicly identified to indicate where his remains may have been moved to, or what evidence police uncovered that may indicate he was ever there to begin with.
Chief Huff announced that they believe at least two other individuals were connected to the disappearance of Michael Vaughan. Brandon Shurtliff and Adrien Lucienne. Police made contact with both men, though the results of that contact have never been made public.
CBS2 regularly follows up with officials tied to this case, and the results have remained the same for nearly a year. Chief Huff tells CBS2 that all of the information, evidence, and the case have been given to the prosecutor's office. CBS2 reached out to the Payette Prosecutor's office for an update but did not immediately receive a response. When one is received, it will be added here.
The case against Wondra has been dropped, though prosecutors can refile those charges, and no one else potentially connected to Michael's disappearance has been charged. For a grieving family and community, there are still no answers for what happened to Michael "Monkey" Vaughan.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwwMernJ5lqZqus7%2BMqKVmrJiaeqW10pqnqZ2Rp66vr8Rmpp9lnZ6wqa3EpWSmp56gsrp51ZqsoKCRo3qnvtSiq6WZnpl6qrDAoaZmpZmowKq6xmanqKSZmLJur8einJ9lmKqzp3nPq6asnZOqwbC%2B0manmrGVqcGmecKorKesqQ%3D%3D