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UPDATE: Wilmoth found safe

UPDATE:  A woman reported missing after she went fishing with a coworker Sunday has been found alive.

LeeAnn Wilmoth, 28, of Cooks went to Chicago Lake with Eric Ruska, 37, of Rumely but never returned. Her truck and his boat were found near the lake.

A Public Radio 90 interview with Michigan State Police 1st Lieutenant Bob Pernaski revealed Ruska stopped at the Shell gas station in Munising around 4:25 Friday morning and was immediately taken into custody by undercover surveillance officers.

Pernaski says tips from family and employers indicated the duo were likely still in the Central U.P. Financial information also revealed purchases at 24-hour stores and gas stations in the region.

Wilmoth, who was in Ruska’s truck, was taken to UPHS Marquette for a medical evaluation. Pernaski said she had no obvious injuries.

Police determined Wilmoth had been held against her will. 

Ruska was taken to the Munising Police Department and questioned. Further investigation will determine any charges that will be filed against him. Over the past five days he and Wilmoth traveled in Delta, Schoolcraft, and Alger counties.

Ruska is a sex offender who spent ten years in prison on charges of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping. The offense happened in Alger County in 2003.

Michigan State Police were assisted by the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Division, National Park Service Law Enforcement, the Alger County Sheriff’s Office, Munising Police Department, Delta County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division, Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Division, MSP Eighth District Hometown Security Team, and the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center. MSP divers, K-9 teams, and aircraft were used in the search for Wilmoth and Ruska over the past week. 

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ALGER COUNTY, MI--   A woman missing since Sunday evening has been found alive. 

LeeAnn Wilmoth, 28, of Cooks went fishing with Eric Ruska, 37, of Rumely Sunday, but never returned home. Police from local, state, and federal agencies have been searching for the pair since then.

Facebook page Bring LeeAnn Wilmoth Home says she was found safe early Friday morning. No other details are available at this time.

Ruska is a registered sex offender who spent 10 years in prison for kidnapping and third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.
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