Sajjad Almayali’s vehicle was found at Belle Isle. After an extensive search there was no leads to his disappearance.

DEARBORN — It’s been more than two weeks since the disappearance of 24-year-old Sajjad Almayali, who was last seen on Tuesday, January 5, leaving his house at around 11 a.m., wearing a green jogging suit. 

When Almayali didn’t return home a few hours later, his family grew worried and filed a missing person report at the Dearborn Police Department later that evening. 

Almayali had left his cell phone at home, something his family said is not unusual when he leaves his house for a short period of time.

On Wednesday, January 6, his 22-year-old brother Dhiya found his black 2006 Fusion parked on Belle Isle. Security at the park noted that the vehicle had been parked there overnight. 

All of Almayali’s personal belongings were still in his car, including his jewelry and keys. His wallet, which carried his credit cards, was found underneath the car. There were no signs of struggle or foul play inside or around the vehicle. 

According to his family, Almayali frequented both the park and the nearby Riverwalk often, usually to exercise and enjoy the peaceful scenery.

As word of Almayali’s disappearance grew, both law enforcement and community efforts ensued to find any traces of him. 

The Dearborn Police Department and Michigan State Police’s Search and Rescue Department are collaborating on an investigation. Investigators have confiscated all of Almayali’s personal belongings, including his laptop and iPad. 

Transactions on his credit card revealed that on the day of his disappearance, he visited a Sports Authority and purchased jogging weights. There were no unusual transactions. 

On Friday, January 8, a massive search took place on Belle Isle, with the assistance of local residents and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It turned up no leads. 

An extensive search along the Detroit River, using grids, boats and drones, also revealed no abnormalities along the water. 

According to the family, investigators are also reviewing surveillance footage from a nearby gas station and Tim Horton’s, which captures vehicles entering and exiting the park throughout the day. 

The last missing person case on Belle Isle occurred in July. But it concerned a man who accidentally fell off his boat. His body was recovered a few days later.

Almayali’s family said they are clueless as to what may have happened to him, especially after the extensive searches resulted in no leads. The family doesn’t believe he committed suicide, especially after no body was recovered. 

They claim Almayali was very spiritual and religious. On the day of his disappearance, he was fasting. And while the family is not ruling out a homicide, they find it puzzling that none of his personal items were stolen from his car. 

“We don’t know what it could’ve been,” said his brother Dhiya. “We don’t know if he ran away… or if he committed suicide. We don’t know what to think. There is nothing. What’s killing us the most is the lack of answers.” 

Since Almayali’s disappearance, several theories and rumors have been circulating in the local community. Some believe he may have left the area intentionally, a theory that the family hasn’t ruled out. 

His father said that three days before his disappearance, Almayali proposed moving to Arizona. His father told him that they weren’t financially stable enough to make such a drastic move. 

Other rumors, the family said, are completely untrue and fabricated, including that he was a drug dealer and may have been involved with the wrong crowd. Another rumor circulating involved his mental state at the time of his disappearance.

Dhiya said his brother had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder many years ago and was taking medication and seeing a doctor. He noted that he was off his medication during the time of his disappearance, but that it wasn’t anything unusual. 

“He’s been on the same medicine, on and off for four or five years now,” Dhiya said. “He was off of it for about a month or so [before he disappeared], but he’s been off his medicine before and nothing like this has happened.” 

Almayali’s family attests that he is a very religious man who keeps to himself and is not a danger to the public. 

“He’s very religious and very spiritual,” said Dhiya. “He’s a peaceful, pious person. We don’t know what to make of it.”

A former classmate of Almayali’s from Dearborn High School described him as a popular student.

“He was a very friendly guy,” the classmate said. “Very outgoing and very into boxing. I don’t think he had a problem with anybody. He had a lot of friends. He was a very good guy.” 

Dhiya noted that his brother’s social circle diminished after high school. He spent more time focused on himself and had far fewer friends. In the days following his disappearance, his closest friends noted that they hadn’t talked to him in a few days. 

On top of the investigation being led by Michigan State Police and the Dearborn Police Department, the family has also hired a private investigator. The family is offering a reward to anybody who comes forward with a lead on Almayali’s disappearance. 

The family is hoping to step up efforts in the investigation in the coming days. The Michigan Search and Rescue team is planning to collaborate with the DNR in an effort to send out a unit of 28 dogs to search Belle Isle for any leads. 

In the meantime, the family said they are thankful for the outpouring of support received from the community and they are praying for some answers in coming days. Almayali’s four siblings, including his 9-year-old sister, all have faith he is still alive.

Anyone with information about Almayali’s whereabouts are encouraged to contact investigators at 248-584-5740 or Dhiya Almayali at 313-445-5735.