Father & Son Found Dead in Camper After 6-Year-Old Never Returned Home From Visitation

Brandi Morey-Pols/Facebook

A mother’s worst fears were confirmed after her child’s father failed to return him to her custody. After a bit of a search, the father and his 6-year-old son were found dead in the man’s camper outside of his residence in Chippewa Township, Michigan.

After an initial investigation, the Isabella County Sheriff’s Office believe the two died in a murder-suicide.

The search for the two began when Rowan's father did not return him to his mother.

On Monday, August 19, the child’s mother contacted police, M Live reported. She said the boy was supposed to have been returned to her after a visitation. Deputies visited the father’s residence but didn’t see the man or the boy. Afterward, they tried finding family and friends of the man. Eventually, they were able to locate the man’s sister. When she tried to contact her brother, she couldn’t reach him.

Eventually, family members joined the search.

When the family was unable to get in touch, they went to the father’s house on Wednesday, August 21, WZZM reported. They ultimately decided to break a window of the camper near the rear of the property.

That’s where they found the father and child, both shot dead. While police have not released the names in this tragedy, The Morning Sun identified the two as 48-year-old Michael Steven Winchell and his son, Rowan Milford Morey.

Police used a tool to get into the camper.

Before the two were found, Rowan’s mother posted pleas for help on social media. After the family found Michael, police arrived on the scene and used a breaching tool to get into the camper. For the rest of the day, police were on the scene processing evidence, The Morning Sun reports.

Rowan's mother provided an update on social media.

After the bodies were found, Rowan’s mother took to social media with a devastating update. “Thank you for sending your prayers for a safe return. Unfortunately our fears were confirmed and Rowan has been found but is no longer with us,” the post read per M Live. The investigation is still underway.