Honoring Michelle: A Plea for Her Return

On behalf of Michelle and our loved ones, we have established this fundraiser with the heartfelt intention of bringing Michelle back home.

Michelle’s Story:

Michelle Leslie Lanier was born and raised in St. George, Charlton County, GA. Michelle led a dynamic on-the-go life, predominantly rooted in Milwaukee, WI in the final years of her life. Regrettably, she lost touch with her family in May 2022, a period marked by personal struggles and challenging circumstances. Her sporadic communication patterns were not unusual, often leading to extended periods without contact with friends and loved ones. Alarm set in by September when her family had not heard from her, prompting outreach to her acquaintances in Milwaukee, many of whom had also been out of touch with her for a prolonged duration. Despite numerous attempts, filing missing person reports proved unsuccessful due to complexities stemming from her past. Tragically, in November 2022, a former partner disclosed Michelle's critical condition at Froedert Hospital Emergency Room on October 2, 2022, culminating in her passing on October 4, 2022, just a day after her 31st birthday. The hospital’s failure to notify Michelle's family of her condition or passing denied them the chance to offer comfort in her final moments or bid her a proper goodbye. Following her passing, Michelle was entrusted to Peace of Mind Funeral Home in Milwaukee, and yet again further communication lapses prevented her family from being informed. It wasn't until May 16, 2024, after the involvement of the FBI and the dedicated efforts of the Oshkosh Police Department, that Michelle's family was finally contacted. Despite the complexities of Michelle's life, a woman known for her beauty, love, and compassion was deprived of the solace of having her family and friends by her side in her final moments and was denied the dignity of a familial presence at her burial in Greenfield, Wisconsin, over 1,000 miles away from her loved ones. Our utmost wish is to bring her back to southeast Georgia, her long-time home, where her adored son, sisters, brothers, and an array of family and friends are located. Michelle's deep affection for her son Ezra illuminated her life, infusing it with pride and joy. In her final months, she embarked on a mission of self-healing, yearning to once again be a part of his life. Though she never had the opportunity to shower him with the love and support she felt for him, it is now our solemn duty to bring her final resting place to home to Ezra and our family. In doing so, we aim to honor her memory and ensure that her final resting place is adorned by the love of those who cherished her dearly. The process of transferring her resting place is intricate and costly, yet Michelle's memory warrants every effort and expense to honor her legacy. We deeply appreciate all donations, whether monetary or in the form of kind words and love, during this challenging time for our family. In the event that our goal is not attained or surpassed, any surplus funds will be allocated towards supporting the welfare of her surviving son and the greatest love in her live, Ezra.

Sincerely,

The Family of Michelle

Michelle Leslie Lanier

10/03/1991 - 10/04/2022