03/13/09: Steven Mbidizo, 27, Bath Township, MI

Stephen Mbidzo

Stephen Munyaradzi Mbidzo disappeared March 13, 2009 a day after his 27th birthday. He last was seen visiting friends at the Village at Chandler Crossings, a large apartment complex at 3839 Hunsaker St in Bath Township, MI.

His mother reported his disappearance to the Michigan State Police post in Mount Pleasant, MI, where Mbidzo resided.

Mbidzo's body, which was found Thursday, April 9 in a remote section of the Grand River in Eagle Township, was identified through fingerprints. The body was found by a riverfront home owner who then alerted police. The body was found naked, wearing only socks, and it was unclear how long it had been in the river. 

"It’s a very, very suspicious death," said Clinton County Sheriff Wayne Kangas.

An autopsy on April 10 was unable to reveal a cause of death. There were no signs of blunt force or other trauma.


About Steven Mbidizo

Mbidzo was born on March 12, 1982, in Harare, Zimbabwe, the son of Louis and Hilda Mbidzo. He graduated from Prince Edward High School in Zimbabwe where he played rugby and enjoyed cricket. He earned an associate degree from Mid Michigan Community College in Harrison and had taken nursing classes at Saginaw Valley State University. He was a talented and award-winning artist, and a member of the MSU African Students Association and the Knights of Columbus.

He leaves behind his parents Louis and Hilda Mbidzo, brother Farai Mbidzo of Mt. Pleasant, MI, sisters Diana Mbidzo of the United Kingdom and Rosalia (Edmond) Muchenje of Zimbabwe, and grandmothers Theresa and Mavis, and fiancee Shingirai Jemwa of Grand Rapids, MI.
A funeral was held on Thursday, April 16, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 302 S. Kinney in Mount Pleasant, MI. A visitation and prayer service were also held at the Clark Family Funeral Chapel in Mount Pleasant.