Missing Coralville man found safe in Omaha; police close investigation

A Coralville man missing since Monday has been found at a hotel in Omaha, and police have closed the investigation into his disappearance.

Michael David Graham, 37, was found by Omaha police, according to a news release Wednesday morning from the North Liberty Police Department.

North Liberty Police Chief Diane Venenga said Wednesday morning that Graham was safe and Omaha police officers were in the process of "checking on his mental and physical well-being."

Graham was found with his car, a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta, according to the release. Police initially said Tuesday that family members told them Graham sent a text message saying he had been tied up and forced into the trunk of his car, but later in the day officers said "the circumstances of his disappearance cannot be confirmed" and Venenga said foul play was not suspected.

North Liberty police had not spoken to Graham as of Wednesday morning, and Venenga said they were waiting to hear what Omaha police are able to find out from Graham about the circumstances of his disappearance.

In another news release Wednesday afternoon, North Liberty police said Graham had not reported an abduction and that police are closing their investigation into his disappearance.

Before being located in Omaha, Graham was last seen Monday near his work at 7 Hawkeye Drive in North Liberty.

Police thanked the news media, Graham's family, social media sites and individuals who called in tips about Graham, and Venenga said finding Graham is a relief for the department and for Graham's family.

A Facebook post by Graham's wife, Jill Graham, asking for help finding her husband had been shared over 120,000 times as of Wednesday morning.

"I know his family is just elated that he's been located," Venenga said.

Jill Graham updated her Facebook post Wednesday, saying her husband is alive and safe and had been taken to an Omaha hospital.

"I can't even begin to thank you all enough for your kindness, love, and support through all this. Praise the Lord, I'm bringing my husband home!" she said in the post, which was no longer publicly available Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement from Graham's brother, Nathan Graham, the family thanked law enforcement for their efforts and the public for their prayers and well wishes.

"We will get Mike the help that he needs," the statement said, without explaining the details of the disappearance.

"For those that are frustrated by this situation, we ask for your compassion and understanding," the statement said. "For those of you that do not know Michael, he is a loving husband, father, son and brother. He has a profound faith in Jesus Christ and has been a good and contributing member of society. He needs help now and we are so thankful that we have the opportunity to do that for him."

North Liberty and Omaha police were assisted by the Coralville Police Department, Iowa Missing Person's Clearing House, Washington County Sheriff's Office, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State Patrol.

Reach Stephen Gruber-Miller at 319-887-5407 or sgrubermil@press-citizen.com. Follow him on Twitter: @sgrubermiller.