News Releases

Update: Identity Released in February 26th Death Investigation in Germantown

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department – Major Crimes Division continue to investigate the February 26 discovery of human remains found in a field located in the 12600 block of Great Seneca Highway in Germantown.

The decedent has been identified by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner as Michael Wayne Umberger, age 57, of South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.

In July 2017, Umberger’s family reported him as a missing person to police.

On Monday, February 26 at approximately 4:42 p.m., a resident notified police that he had been walking in a field located off Great Seneca Highway and located what he believed to be human bones.  5th District officers responded to the area and located the skeletal remains.  The initial investigation has revealed that the remains were not concealed nor located in any type of grave and there were no obvious signs of trauma to the remains.

An autopsy will be completed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine the cause and manner of Umberger’s death.  The autopsy findings are pending.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have information regarding this death to contact the Major Crimes Division at 240-773-5070 or contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).  Callers may remain anonymous.

RLG

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Release ID: 18-102
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: death-investigation, missing-person