Cause of crash that took lives of couple remains unknown

Nov. 20--CHANDLERVILLE -- Authorities said they have not determined the cause of a single-vehicle accident earlier this month that claimed the lives of a Chandlerville couple.

A family member posted an urgent plea for help after Heith Jones, 49, and Michelle "Missy" Jones, 46, could not be located. The social media post later was updated to indicate the couple had been found, and had died.

Cass County Sheriff Devron Ohrn said the couple was found about 10:30 p.m. Nov. 8. The investigation determined they were going west on Chandlerville Road when their vehicle went off the road and came to a stop upside down in a creek.

Ohrn said there were no skid marks or any evidence of an abrupt turn on the road near where they were found. Deer on the road in that area have been known to cause accidents, he said.

The two were laid to rest Thursday after a funeral at Lintner-Hurley Funeral Home in Chandlerville.

A family friend established a Gofundme page to help pay for the services because the couple did not have any insurance, according to the site.

By Monday, more than $12,000 had been raised.