Hunter's body found in car in river

POLKTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - The body of a 29-year-old father of three was found in a car beneath the surface of the Grand River early Tuesday evening, about 24 hours after he went missing.

Larry Stearns was described by his family as an avid outdoorsman, a great father and a dependable guy. It was those traits that had his family so worried when he didn't show up for dinner on Christmas Eve.

The Grand Haven man vanished after work on Monday. He left his job around 4 p.m, texted his wife he would be home by 5 p.m., but never showed up.

His wife was concerned and called his father. Stearns mentioned earlier in the day he might check some hunting traps, so some family members began looking for Larry's car in his hunting spots along the Grand River.

They didn't find anything, but his car was spotted in the river around 3 p.m. Tuesday by a boater. diver teams were called to the scene near 90th and Lake Forest Drive.

"It's a shocker," his grandfather, Lloyd Stearns, told 24 Hour News 8. "We have a lot of questions."

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.

"It's going to be a rough night. It's going to be  a rough few days and a rough lot of days. His wife and children are going to have to get by without him," the elder Stearns said. "I couldn't have asked for a better grandson."