UPDATED: Missing Weidman woman found dead, husband charged with open murder

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A missing persons case has concluded with the death of Stephanie Rochelle Fish, and the arrest of her husband.

Jason Lantz Fish, a 34-year-old from Weidman, was arrested by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department Monday morning on an open murder charge. Stephanie, a 34-year-old from Weidman, was found dead in the home she shared with Jason, located in the 900 block of North Rolland Road in Sherman Township.  The Isabella County Sheriff’s Department got a search warrant at around 3 a.m. Monday.

Isabella County Sheriff Leo Mioduszewski said they were able to locate Stephanie through several interviews with friends and family.

“It was a combination of several different factors. We got some information through those types of individuals as well as Jason Fish,” Mioduszewski said. “We had enough information to know that it wasn’t just a missing person case.”

According to a press release sent out by the Isabella County Sheriff’s Department, the arrest stems from a domestic dispute that took place Friday at the couple’s home.

“We do know that there were some issues between him and her,” Mioduszewski said. “We don’t know what sparked the problem Friday night. They had some marital problems, no question about that.”

Stephanie was last seen at approximately 7:30 p.m. Friday at a friend’s house, Isabella County Sheriff Leo Moiduszewski said Sunday evening before Stephanie’s body was discovered.

“(Her friend) just said, ‘Hey I haven’t been able to get a hold of Stephanie,’” Mioduszewski said.

A .22 caliber rifle was taken as possible evidence in the case. The press release stated an autopsy for Stephanie will be scheduled for Monday or Tuesday. Mioduszewski said they cannot confirm the cause of death because the Michigan State Police Crime Lab is investigating the scene.

“The reason we don’t know for sure is we didn’t touch the body at all,” Mioduszewski said. “It appears there’s a good chance she might have sustained a gunshot.”

The case began as a missing persons investigation Sunday, when an Amber Alert was issued for the couple’s four-year-old son Brody Fish. Mioduszewski said Brody and Jason were located in Genessee County Sunday night by a deputy, who saw Jason’s green 2011 Ford Explorer at a rest area.

“He knew that was the Amber Alert vehicle. He made contact with both Jason Fish and Brody,” Mioduszewski said. “He indicated they were both fine, and Brody did not seem to be in any kind of distress.”

Jason was brought back to Mount Pleasant for questioning. Brody is currently staying with a relative. Mioduszewski said he is not sure where the child is going to end up.

“What’s going to happen is the courts are going to determine what’s going to be best for Brody in the long run,” Mioduszewski said. “Whether it’s a family member or some sort of placement.”

A press release from Isabella County Undersheriff John Tellis stated Jason Lantz Fish was arraigned at 3:30 pm Monday  in the 76^th Judicial District Court for the State of Michigan.

He is being held without bail on one count of homicide, open murder, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and two counts of felony firearms.

 

Stay tuned to cm-life.com for updates on this breaking news.