Michael Bayne, 32, Remains Found in Mesa Days After Tempe Disappearance

Michael Bayne, 32, who was reported missing from Tempe on Feb. 16, was found dead in Mesa on Friday, Feb. 20, police announced, and the Mesa Police Department has assumed the death investigation. Authorities have not released Bayne’s cause or manner of death.

Tempe Police posted on social media that Bayne’s body was located in Mesa. AZFamily published a specific recovery location, reporting the body was found in the area of Center Street and McKellips Road. Fox10’s updates say detectives located Bayne’s body on February 20 but noted earlier in the coverage that police had not yet disclosed where in Mesa the body was found.

Accounts of Bayne’s last confirmed sighting differ in local reporting. AZFamily says Bayne was last seen around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 16, near the eastern Curry Road entrance to Papago Park. A Feb. 18 family-seeking report filed by Fox10 lists Bayne as last seen on Feb. 16 at about 9:40 a.m. in the area of Mesquite Circle and Curry Road. Both reports place the last-known date as Feb. 16; the time and exact location vary between the two reports.

Tempe Police described their efforts as an “intense search” that involved detectives and drew strong community attention. Fox10 summarized the response as triggering “an intensive search by detectives and a massive outpouring of support from the community.” In an emailed statement reported by AZFamily, the Tempe Police Department wrote, “Our thoughts are with Michael’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We understand how deeply this ongoing search has affected the community, and we ask for continued patience and compassion as the investigation moves forward.” Fox10’s coverage attributes the same language to Jessica Ells of the Tempe Police Department.

Local broadcast coverage also noted the investigative transfer. A 12 News post stated the death investigation has been turned over to the Mesa Police Department, and subsequent reporting has identified Mesa detectives as leading the probe. A public report snippet further lists the Maricopa County Medical Examiner as involved in identification and investigation; officials have not released autopsy results or a timeline for any Medical Examiner findings.

No arrests or suspect information have been reported in the supplied updates, and both AZFamily and Fox10 emphasize that details and circumstances surrounding Bayne’s death remain withheld. Investigators in Mesa currently hold the active case; Tempe PD has asked for patience and compassion as detectives continue work and as next-of-kin notifications and any Medical Examiner actions proceed.