Sheriff’s department continues investigation into missing woman case

In response to sharp criticism nearly a month ago, St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department provided an update on a missing-person case dating to 2018.

According to a department media release issued Monday, the sheriff’s office is committed to its investigation of the case involving Brittany Shank. The 23-year-old Sturgis woman was last seen Nov. 30, 2018, near the 33000 block of Fawn River Road, in Fawn River Township.

According to the sheriff department media release, investigators have collaborated with Michigan State Police, using their resources, equipment and expertise. Ongoing meetings have led to a collective agreement that the most-appropriate agency to continue investigating the case is the sheriff’s department, as it has the most knowledge of the elements of the case.

Meanwhile, the Centreville-based agency has leveraged a partnership with Western Michigan University’s Cold Case Program, which has devoted hundreds of hours of time to digitize and organize the case file for investigators. It ultimately helped to provide timelines and categorize subjects listed within the case file, sheriff’s officials said.

Undersheriff Jason Bingaman encouraged tips be phoned to Det./Sgt. Jason Auton at 467-9045, Ext 227.