Jason Thompson: Mystery surrounds discovery of dead body in vent at Michigan's Macomb College theater

DETROIT, MICHIGAN: The decomposing body of 36-year-old Jason Thompson was discovered in the ventilation system of the performing arts center of Macomb Community College after school staff contacted law enforcement over a suspicious foul odor.

The father of two had been missing for a month, after disappearing from his sister Shelby's apartment less than a mile away on October 25, according to the Daily Mail.

The gruesome discovery was made on the night of November 26. Prior to that, the deceased's family had plastered the Clinton Township district of Detroit with fliers appealing for information on his whereabouts.

In a GoFundMe page, Thompson's cousin Carissa wrote, "Jason was loved by many people and his family have been through a lot over the past month while he has been missing."

"Jason was a father to two beautiful children, Killian and Kiara. He was a son, uncle, brother, cousin but most important he was loved by his family and friends and will be missed," the page added.

Jason Thompson was seen leaving his sister's apartment on security camera

Thompson was recorded stepping out in Sterling Heights wearing black pants, Adidas shoes, and a hoodie.

He was reported missing by his family on November 1, following which they regularly checked in with hospitals, the medical examiner's office, jails, and police departments in an attempt to find him.

Shelly had taken to Facebook in her search for her brother, writing, "Never in his life has he ever gone without contact with our family for more than 24 hours, not once. This is completely unusual for my brother, someone knows something- what will it take for you to speak?"

Jason Thompson's cause of death yet to be revealed

As officials await the cause of death from the Macomb County medical examiner, Macomb College Police Chief William Leavens stated there was "no reason to suspect foul play."

"At this point, it is important to remember that this is an ongoing investigation, with the goal to understand the circumstances," he added.

The deceased had a long criminal history. He was sentenced to nine years in prison for an armed robbery in 2008. At the time of his disappearance, Thompson was on probation for retail fraud.