Dyer County, TN – – The Dyer County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a case involving the discovery of human remains linked to a missing person, Michael Houston Brown (DOB: 6/19/1983), who was reportedly last seen alive on August 8, 2025. The remains have now been positively identified as belonging to Mr. Brown.
On October 22, 2025, during routine patrol, a Dyer County deputy discovered a vehicle approximately half a mile off Halls Chapel Road in a soybean field. The vehicle in question was confirmed to be last driven by Mr. Brown, known to struggle with paranoia, mental illness, and an extensive history of drug abuse.
Upon contacting Mr. Brown’s family on the same day, it was learned that he had not been seen since August and it was common for him to go missing from time to time. Following this information, our investigators urged the family to file a missing persons report, which they did on October 22, 2025.
In the following days since our deputy discovered this vehicle, the Dyer County Criminal Investigations Division mobilized numerous resources, including drones, FEMA cadaver dogs, and ground teams utilizing side-by-sides to facilitate an extensive search effort across several acres of unharvested crops. Investigators also pumped out a nearby pond, known to be frequented by Mr. Brown for swimming and fishing, and as a result investigators recovered a pair of shoes believed to belong to him.
As the investigation continued, the Dyer County Criminal Investigations Division diligently pursued leads and conducted interviews to establish a timeline of Mr. Brown’s activities before his disappearance.
On November 18, 2025, remains believed to be those of Mr. Brown were found on an adjacent property off Halls Chapel Road. The Dyer County Medical Examiner’s Office was called to the scene to assist in the recovery process. The remains were sent to the Middle Tennessee Regional Forensic Center in Nashville, TN for forensic examination. Confirming what our investigators believed to be true, the forensic anthropologist and forensic pathologist found no signs of trauma during their exam.
On December 4, 2025, a credit to the diligent work of our investigative team, it was scientifically confirmed that the remains belong to Michael Houston Brown.
Dyer County Sheriff’s Office said, “We appreciate the family being patient and cooperative as we sought to provide them closure by bringing their loved one home. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them. Finally, we provide this update in the spirit of transparency and we appreciate our community being sensitive to the grief associated with this loss – especially during this holiday season.”
If your loved one is struggling mentally or with substance abuse – there is help, hope, and healing available.