Human remains ID'd as missing BC man

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - The human remains found in October 2011 in Kalamazoo County have been positively identified as a man who was reported missing in August. Authorities said a person of interest was already in custody on unrelated charges.

Michael James VanBuskirk, 33, was reported to be missing on August 28 to the Battle Creek Police Department. On October 10, the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office found human remains at 34th and Y Avenue.

Though final autopsy results are pending, the remains were positively identified as VanBuskirk.

In early September, police said VanBuskirk was living at Harold Ordway's home on Woodward Avenue in Battle Creek to help with a remodeling project.

On September 2, Ordway was arrested for possession of a weapon as a felon following a crash in Allegan County. He was held in the Allegan County Jail. At that time, police said he was not cooperating in their investigation.

During the crash investigation, an Allegan County deputy found a bloody mattress in the back of the pickup truck that Ordway, 41, was driving.

An investigation led authorities to find that Ordway's former roommate, 53-year-old Paul Atchley, was missing.

Atchley was staying with Ordway at Ordway's parents' house on Manning Lake Road in Barry County. They say Atchley had been sleeping there in the back of the pickup truck.

Shortly thereafter, investigators discovered that VanBuskirk was also missing.

Ordway was indicted on October 20 in federal court on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was recently transferred to federal custody.

Ordway has not been charged in Atchley's disappearance.

And the sheriff  has yet to officially name Ordway as a suspect in Vanbuskirk's death.

"I've heard that that person has been connected to this and I can not confirm or deny that," said Fuller.

Police continue to search for Atchley. 

"The efforts have continued in looking for any other missing bodies in this area right now, and those efforts continue on a regular basis," said Sheriff Richard Fuller.