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DELTA COUNTY -- What really happened to 20-year-old Jimmy Malenfant?

Jimmy was an active member of the United States Air Force, when in October of 1979, his remains were found in a burned down hunting camp on national forest land in Rapid River.  His death was initially ruled accidental, but now, authorities don't believe that's the case at all.

The case has been reopened and officials need your help.

It's been over 30 years since the death of 20-year-old Jimmy Malenfant.  But for his father, James, it feels just like yesterday.

"It's hard for me, but I actually heard it on the radio that they found his body in a burned down camp and I told my secretary, who was my sister-in-law at the time, that it was my son Jimmy and she said no, it couldn't be, but I said...I know it is," explained James Malenfant.

Jimmy was last seen hitchhiking on County Road 509 on the afternoon of October 28, 1979 and a missing person's report was filed shortly after.  Two days later, his remains were found in the smoldering ashes of the camp, which had no ties to his family.  While only a cement slab remains of the original building today, the memory of Jimmy hasn't gone away.

After a year's investigation, authorities labeled it an accidental fire, closing the case.  But it left many questions unanswered, such as why this camp?  Why was Jimmy here?  Why were his belongings found miles away?    

Since August of 2008, Special Agent Mike Evans with the U.S. Forest Service along with Detective Greg Cunningham with the Michigan State Police have been searching for answers to those questions.  Some new information tells them Jimmy likely wasn't alone the night of his death. 

"The new information indicates there was a concealing of facts surrounding the death of Jimmy Malenfant in 1979," said Detective Greg Cunningham.  "Information indicates there was suspicion of foul play in this, and this was much more likely than an accidental burn up in a cabin.  It gave some answers to the case."

They've interviewed over 50 witnesses not only here in the U.P., but across the U.S., and they feel more information is out there.  Jimmy's father, James, says he has always believed it was more than just an accidental death and feels maybe it was a cover up after something went terribly wrong.    

But the Malenfant family hopes those who may know something will come forward and help them find some much needed closure.

"Nobody wants to talk about it...it's been 30 years and nobody said anything," James said.  "So hopefully somebody will, and think a little bit about how we feel about it.  When it comes to something like this, something like this is difficult for me. He's still...he's still your boy..."

If you have any information, contact the U.S. Forest Service at (906) 789-3358 or the Michigan State Police at (906) 428-4412.