Vacation Horror: Human Remains Found Under Closet in Hotel Room by Couple
Byline: By Sarah Mitchell | Northern Michigan — October 14, 2025
A romantic weekend getaway turned into a chilling nightmare for a young couple vacationing in northern Michigan after they discovered several human fingers and toes hidden beneath a wardrobe in their hotel room. The pair, who had checked into the Lakeside Inn on Saturday evening, reported a foul odor coming from the corner of the room before making the gruesome find while trying to locate its source. Police were called to the scene within minutes and have since launched a full homicide investigation, sealing off the entire floor as forensic teams comb through the area for evidence. Authorities say the remains appear to have been there “for some time,” raising fears that the hotel may have unknowingly hosted a crime scene for weeks — or even months.
The Shocking Discovery
According to police, the discovery was made by Ryan Jacobs, 28, and Mia Turner, 26, who had traveled from Chicago for a weekend by the lake. The couple checked into Room 212 at the Lakeside Inn, a modest but popular hotel overlooking Lake Superior.
“We’d just unpacked and were settling in when we noticed this strange smell,” Mia told local reporters on Sunday. “At first, we thought it was old carpet or mold. But as Ryan started moving furniture to check, he shouted for me to call the front desk. I’ll never forget the look on his face.”
When hotel staff arrived, they immediately contacted police after seeing what appeared to be human remains partially wrapped in plastic beneath the wardrobe.
“It was horrifying,” said a hotel employee who asked not to be named. “You never expect something like that in a place where people come to relax. We just froze.”
Police Response and Early Investigation
Officers from the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Department arrived within ten minutes, quickly evacuating nearby rooms and securing the area. Crime scene investigators, accompanied by forensic specialists from the Michigan State Police, spent several hours collecting evidence late into the night.
Sheriff Daniel Hart confirmed in a press briefing Sunday morning that the remains were human and included “several digits, likely belonging to more than one person.”
“The condition of the remains suggests they had been concealed for some time,” Hart said. “We are currently working to determine how long they have been there and to identify the victim or victims.”
DNA testing and forensic analysis are now underway. Detectives are also reviewing hotel security footage and questioning staff members who worked at the Lakeside Inn in recent months.
Hotel Under Scrutiny
The Lakeside Inn, a 3-star lakeside retreat known for its vintage charm and affordable rates, has temporarily closed while police continue their investigation. Guests staying on the same floor were relocated to nearby accommodations.
In a brief statement, hotel management expressed “shock and deep concern” over the discovery. “We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and providing access to all rooms, records, and staff schedules,” the statement read. “Our priority is the safety and trust of our guests.”
However, several past guests have since come forward online claiming they also noticed strange odors in the building. A post that went viral on social media described the hotel as “creepy and outdated,” mentioning “a weird smell near the closets.”
Police have not commented on whether the previous reports were connected to the current case, but detectives are examining maintenance logs and cleaning records from the past six months.
Forensic Findings So Far
Early reports from the State Forensic Laboratory suggest that the remains belong to at least one adult, possibly two. Investigators have retrieved partial fingerprints and fragments of tissue that may help narrow the timeline of death.
“We’re still in the early stages,” said Dr. Ellen Price, a forensic pathologist assisting in the case. “Given the state of preservation and the environment inside the room, we estimate the remains could have been placed there anywhere between three weeks and three months ago.”
Authorities have also revealed that the wardrobe appeared to have been moved slightly in recent weeks, suggesting someone may have tampered with the area. “It’s possible the remains were relocated or disturbed at some point,” Dr. Price added.
Possible Links to a Missing Person Case
Detectives are now investigating whether the discovery could be linked to the disappearance of Melissa Grant, a 29-year-old woman reported missing from the nearby town of Petoskey in late August. Grant had last been seen checking into a hotel roughly 10 miles from the Lakeside Inn, and her car was later found abandoned near a service road leading toward the lake.
“We can’t confirm a connection yet,” Sheriff Hart said cautiously. “But it’s one of several leads we’re pursuing.”
Grant’s family, informed of the discovery, released a statement asking for privacy while authorities work to determine whether the remains could be related to her case.
Guests in Fear and Shock
In the aftermath of the discovery, several guests described sleepless nights and deep unease. “It’s like something out of a horror movie,” said Caleb Roberts, who was staying two rooms away from the couple. “The police wouldn’t tell us anything at first. We didn’t even know what they’d found until it hit the news.”
Others expressed gratitude to Ryan and Mia for immediately reporting what they saw. “If they hadn’t said something, who knows how long it would’ve stayed there?” one guest said. “It’s terrifying to think about.”
The couple has since returned home to Chicago but is cooperating fully with the investigation. “We’re just trying to process what happened,” Ryan said in a phone interview. “You never expect to find something like that on vacation.”
Hotel Employees Questioned
Police have interviewed all 12 employees of the Lakeside Inn, focusing on maintenance and cleaning staff who had access to Room 212. One cleaner reportedly told investigators that the wardrobe in that room had been unusually heavy to move during a routine deep clean last month.
“She thought maybe someone had stuffed blankets inside,” a law enforcement source told reporters. “Now, that detail looks much more suspicious.”
Investigators are also examining the hotel’s guest registry for any irregularities or suspicious bookings over the past few months. “We’re particularly interested in whether someone requested that room repeatedly or stayed there alone,” Sheriff Hart added.
Community Reaction
The incident has sent shockwaves through the quiet lakeside town, where crime is rare and the biggest headlines usually involve fishing tournaments or summer festivals.
“I’ve lived here for 30 years,” said Mayor Susan Caldwell, “and we’ve never seen anything like this. It’s deeply unsettling for everyone.”
Local businesses have expressed concern about the impact on tourism, as the area relies heavily on weekend visitors. Despite this, many residents have come together to support the ongoing investigation, volunteering food and coffee for officers working around the clock at the scene.
The Mystery Deepens
As of Tuesday morning, police have yet to publicly identify the victim or determine how the remains ended up hidden in the hotel. Detectives continue to search for clues inside nearby rooms and storage areas, and forensic teams are performing luminol tests to detect traces of blood or cleaning agents.
“This case is unusual, even for experienced investigators,” Sheriff Hart admitted. “Someone went to great lengths to hide what they’d done — and we intend to find out who and why.”
For now, the once-tranquil Lakeside Inn stands silent behind yellow crime scene tape, its faded neon sign flickering over empty parking spaces — a chilling reminder that even the most ordinary places can conceal extraordinary darkness.