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LOWELL -
It was local rumor and a police suspicion for more than a year: Was the body of a missing Lowell man buried at the home of his suspected killer?
Monday State Police excavated Rami Saba's property in Lowell.
A bulldozer broke up his cement patio, while invstigators sifted through the dirt.
"We're executing a search warrant, we're looking for the remains of Donald Dietz," said Det. Lt. Curt Schram.
Many around the area are familiar with the case. Sixty-six-year- old Donald Dietz went missing in September 2007.
Saba's accused among other things, of sending a letter to Dietz's credit union requesting a transfer of more than $450,000 to an account in Lebanon.
Police have long considered Saba a suspect in Dietz disappearance, though Saba's not charged with any crime connected with the disappearance.
But police thought Dietz' body may be on Saba's property. They've searched the inside of the home before.
"We're digging up some cement area that had been poured at approximately the same time that Mr. Dietz turned up missing in September of '07," said Schram.
State police spent about two hours on location, didn't find Dietz body, but did gather evidence at the scene.
Federal authorities say while Saba was working as a financial services professional he made contact with Dietz.
Saba's accused of identity theft and bank fraud.
While he faces several state and federal charges, he's in an Ionia County jail because of four perjury charges after he allegedly lied to police.
Each count carries a possible life sentence.
We spoke with Donald's brother Marvin Dietz by phone, who says he isn't discouraged by the search and still thinks closure is coming.
Saba's long time friend Raogo Ouedraogo also faces counts of bank fraud and identity theft.
Saba's federal trial is slated to start August 4th.
Monday State Police excavated Rami Saba's property in Lowell.
A bulldozer broke up his cement patio, while invstigators sifted through the dirt.
"We're executing a search warrant, we're looking for the remains of Donald Dietz," said Det. Lt. Curt Schram.
Many around the area are familiar with the case. Sixty-six-year- old Donald Dietz went missing in September 2007.
Saba's accused among other things, of sending a letter to Dietz's credit union requesting a transfer of more than $450,000 to an account in Lebanon.
Police have long considered Saba a suspect in Dietz disappearance, though Saba's not charged with any crime connected with the disappearance.
But police thought Dietz' body may be on Saba's property. They've searched the inside of the home before.
"We're digging up some cement area that had been poured at approximately the same time that Mr. Dietz turned up missing in September of '07," said Schram.
State police spent about two hours on location, didn't find Dietz body, but did gather evidence at the scene.
Federal authorities say while Saba was working as a financial services professional he made contact with Dietz.
Saba's accused of identity theft and bank fraud.
While he faces several state and federal charges, he's in an Ionia County jail because of four perjury charges after he allegedly lied to police.
Each count carries a possible life sentence.
We spoke with Donald's brother Marvin Dietz by phone, who says he isn't discouraged by the search and still thinks closure is coming.
Saba's long time friend Raogo Ouedraogo also faces counts of bank fraud and identity theft.
Saba's federal trial is slated to start August 4th.
