CLARENCE TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A woman from Calhoun County has been found after being reported missing on Monday evening.
Now, we're learning more about why Marilyn Kittinger, 63, of Albion, may have ran off in the first place.
Investigators say Kittinger was stripped of her clothes and assaulted by her husband, Brian Kittinger. They say she walked eight miles and spent 30 hours on someone's porch until she was found.
Kittinger's alleged getaway began at the home she shares with her husband on Duck Lake in Clarence Township. A search for her began after family members reported her missing. Helicopters, divers and police searched more than a day in hopes of finding the missing woman. It's an investigation that led authorities to believe that Kittinger left home to protect herself.
Neighbors tell FOX 17, they heard Brian Kittinger screaming at her late Monday night. They say it's something they've heard a lot of in the past. The neighbors didn't want to go on camera because they say they're afraid Brian may retaliate against them.
During the incident, investigators say Brian forced Marilyn to remove her clothes and assaulted her before she took off in the dark naked and afraid. Overnight temperatures dipped down into the 50's and investigators say Marilyn hid in ditches as cars drove by and avoided walking into the city.
She walked eight miles until she got to a home she recognized on 28 Mile Road in Albion. Marilyn's husband has a lawn care business and the house she stopped at was one of his customers. Police say she hid on the woman's porch eating apples from a tree for more than 30 hours.
The search for Marilyn Kittinger came to an end when the woman heard a noise, went outside and found her. Despite protests from Marilyn the woman called police.
Brian was arraigned on Wednesday on a misdemeanor charge of aggravated domestic assault. If convicted, he could spend up to a year in jail. Police say the man doesn't have a criminal record, but it appears he has a long history of violence against Marilyn. It's also consistent to what neighbors told us on Wednesday.
