Arkham, MA - It was after midnight yesterday when Officer Joseph Shepley found his quarry: local professor Michael G. Miller, 32 years old, nude and unconscious in the outskirts of Christchurch Cemetery, in Arkham.
Miller was last seen in his office at Miskatonic University the morning of Monday, December 1st. He was reported missing later that day by several faculty members.
Shepley, who is assigned to the Arkham Police Department, said there were some signs that Miller, who had slight injuries and was near hypothermia, had been involved in some sort of struggle.
"He had been there for at least a few hours," Officer Shepley said.
Miller's disappearance prompted an alertness of the university faculy, a police dragnet and a teary, pleading appearance by his ex-wife on the evening news. "My greatest fear was for news that he was dead to come," said Caroline Derby, Miller's ex-wife. "If I had to hear that sort of thing, I probably would have lost it."
His abductor remains at large. Forensic investigators searched the area for clues.
Professor Roger Throckmorton was the first to notice Miller's disappearance. He said he and Miller were to have met for lunch at The Arkham House of Steak and Donuts around eleven that morning. "He's never been late for a good steak," Professor Throckmorton said.
Two days later police began a block-by-block search for some trace of Professor Miller. Officer Shepley, 29, who joined the force 16 months ago, said that the fact that Miller was last seen in his office led police to make the systematic search of the area.
As the ordeal continued, Ms. Derby appeared in front of news cameras, begging for the abductor to release Miller and call 911. Officer Shepley teamed up with two Essex County officers, under orders to look for Mr. Miller. But he said they found nothing. "It's not that hard to disappear these days," he said.
Christchurch Cemetery is not well lighted or heavily traveled, due to its large area. Yesterday, one resident who refused to give his name said that he believed he had walked past the spot Miller was found twice between 2 and 3 p.m. on Tuesday.
It was after midnight when Officer Shepley spotted Miller. Another officer called it in. "We actually found him," Officer Shepley thought to himself, he said yesterday. "There he is."
Miller was found completely nude, with bruising and scratches all over his body. No indication was made as to why Miller had no clothing.
Ms. Derby was at home with a detective when the news came: Miller had been found, and he was alive. They rushed to the hospital, where Ms. Derby, arriving first, found Miller in critical condition. "I couldn't stop crying," she said. "They found him."
Professor Miller remains in critical condition at St. Mary's Hospital.
