TEMPE, AZ — Tempe police say the body of missing 32-year-old Michael Bayne was found in Mesa on Friday.
Officials say Mesa police responded to the area of Center Street and McKellips Road, where Bayne was found.
Mesa police say a death investigation has been turned over to their department.
Bayne was reported missing by friends and family earlier this week. They became concerned about Bayne on Monday after they were unable to get in touch with him.
Police say Bayne was last seen on Monday around 9:30 a.m. near Mesquite Circle and Curry Road.
“Michael... he was bigger than life. He had an energy that was just so infectious," said Baylie Depp, who was Bayne’s college roommate. “It feels very surreal, like it doesn’t feel… it feels, like, fake.”
“He had this fire and passion for socializing and really throwing himself into the people that he loved," said Kendall Smith, a close friend of Bayne. “I do find some sense of comfort that we at least were able to locate Michael.”
His friends and community members had gathered to search for him and share flyers in hopes of bringing him home.
"Michael is a light of the community, and has an extremely large group of friends and social circle, and everyone has come together, and they are so scared and just want Michael to come back safe," Kyle Porter, one of Bayne's friends, told ABC15 on Friday.
Tempe police shared the following statement on Friday, saying in part: "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," said Tempe police.
“I want to know what happened. We all want to know what happened. We want to bring justice,” said Depp. "I know that he’s up there looking down on us. He’s looking down on us, and he knows how many people showed up for him; he’s loving the attention,” said Depp.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been started to help support Bayne's family.
