Michigan State Police Sixth District has confirmed that the human remains found near Electric Forest are those of Kevin Graves, who has been missing since 2018.
Human remains discovered earlier this week in a wooded area near Rothbury, Michigan, by two hunters have been confirmed to be those of Kevin Graves, who has been missing since the conclusion of Electric Forest in 2018.
On December 31, Michigan State Police Sixth District confirmed that remains had been found and that forensic anthropologists were on the scene to assist with the recovery. During the search of the area, items belonging to Kevin Graves, including his wallet and phone, were discovered near the remains.
Police told Gary Graves that they were “99% sure” that the remains were those of his son. “They said they found his wallet, his phone, and he had a (festival) wristband on,” his father told MLive earlier today. “They just got to do an autopsy and dental records and everything, and then they’ll get back with us.” Michigan State Police Sixth District has since confirmed that there has been a positive identification through dental record comparison.
According to prior comments from the police, an investigation will be opened regarding his disappearance and death. “We will begin to work on further information to determine how he ended up there from where he was last seen and what was the manner and cause of death,” said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. The cause of death is still to be determined. According to the police, it “may take several months,” and “there is no indication of foul play at this time.”
Kevin Graves was last seen at Electric Forest on July 1, 2018. A coordinated search from volunteers was conducted later that month, but no trace of him was found at the time. “With the dogs and everything they claim they had running around there looking, I can’t see how we missed him,” Gary Graves said to MLive. “But I can’t say for sure until I know exactly where it was at.”
A couple who stayed next to Kevin Graves and his former girlfriend were interviewed by the police in 2018. According to Gary Graves, who was at the interview, they observed Kevin crying and walking away after an argument had occurred. Police reports obtained by MLive indicate that the last activity on his cell phone was a call placed to his father on July 1.
Flyers were passed out in 2019, his parents briefly attended Electric Forest in 2022, and a billboard was put up near the festival’s entrance to help raise awareness and keep hope alive in 2023.
We at EDM Identity offer our sincere condolences to Kevin Graves’ family and friends during this difficult time.