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BELLAIRE - The search for a missing Elk Rapids woman with a couple warrants out for her arrest ended Monday when she turned herself in to authorities in Bellaire.

Resident Anne Avery-Miller disappeared from her home on Jan. 22, leaving her purse and other belongings behind. Over one month later, Avery-Miller - accompanied by her attorney Richard Zerafa - surrendered to authorities at the Antrim County Jail in Bellaire at about 9:30 a.m. the morning of Feb. 25, Charles Koop, Prosecuting Attorney for Antrim County said.

Antrim County Sheriff Terry Johnson said when she turned up at the jail they arrested her right away.

"When she arrived we attempted to ask her questions, but everything was going through the attorney," Johnson said. "We're still taking any tips we can get."

Elk Rapids Police Chief Michael Miles said Avery-Miller was lodged in jail on a bench warrant and an absconding bond charge. She was arraigned Tuesday, Feb. 26, the day after turning herself in, at the courthouse in Bellaire.

"Ms. Avery's current bail is set at $250,000," Koop said in a release Monday.

Miles said he had yet to speak with Avery-Miller regarding her recent whereabouts.

"The investigation into Ms. Avery's disappearance continues and I request that anyone with information concerning Ms. Avery's whereabouts since Jan. 22, 2008 should contact the Michigan State Police Kalkaska Post at 231 2584112 or the Elk Rapids Police Department at 231-264-6592," Koop said.

Avery-Miller is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after she allegedly tried to hit a man with her car last year. A jury trial was set for Feb. 6 before her disappearance.

In a Feb. 21 press release submitted by the Elk Rapids Police Department, police said they had been working with three different theories regarding Avery-Miller's disappearance.

"1. She was abducted by an unknown person," according to the release, "2. She voluntarily left town and assumed another identity. 3. She was distraught over the loss of her son and other pressures in her life and may have left home to take her own life."

Samuel Avery, 16, died of a gunshot wound on Nov 7 and police continue to investigate his death.

Miles said Samuel's wound was "not typical," in nature and that no identifiable prints were found on the gun.

In the release, police also said that prior to Avery-Miller's disappearance "Ms. Avery's friends and family reported that she had been receiving suspicious phone calls from an unknown person at all hours of the night."

Miles said the mysterious phone caller has been identified and interviewed by the police and it appears that the person did not pose a physical threat to Avery-Miller.

Three search efforts failed to locate Avery-Miller. One Elk Rapids Police-led search party involved the Antrim County Sheriff's Office, The Michigan State Police and The United States Coast Guard and two citizen-led search parties for Avery-Miller also turned up nothing.

Koop said the investigation into Ms. Avery's disappearance has involved the officers from at least four Michigan State Police Posts, the Antrim County Sheriff's Department, and the Elk Rapids Police Department. Also assisting were the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team, the MSP Intelligence Unit, Criminal Lab, and K-9 Unit, as well as the Antrim County K-9 unit, the United States Coast Guard and Ontario Provisional Police, the local fire department and numerous community volunteers Koop said.

The Elk Rapids Police Department also released new information on Feb. 21 in hopes of locating Avery-Miller regarding Avery-Miller's purchase of a car prior to her disappearance.

"From the investigation it appears that Ms. Avery had simply left her home and disappeared leaving behind her purse, identification and pets," according to the release.

The release also revealed Avery-Miller purchased a red two-door 1994 Ford Escort on Dec. 27, 2007. It was purchased in a cash transaction for $1,600 and the seller delivered the car to Avery-Miller's residence.

The vehicle was not titled in Avery-Miller's or any other name. The police said they believed the vehicle may have left AveryMiller's residence on or around Jan. 15, 2008.

The authorities also said they determined that, prior to her disappearance, Avery-Miller was loaned a laptop computer by an unknown person, believed to be a friend. After her disappearance, the computer was not found at Avery Miller's residence.

Forensic examination of the computer revealed that someone, believed to be Avery-Miller, downloaded and printed Avery-Miller's e-mail address book.

Miles said the whereabouts of the car and the laptop are still unknown. "The investigation into the absconding on bond and other investigations are ongoing and it should be kept in mind that all defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," Koop said.

"Partial and incomplete information concerning various other investigations have been released. Any time partial or incomplete information is released, the public may draw the wrong conclusions or it may cause confusion and untruthful rumors to spread. The prosecutor's office asks the public to keep an open mind and let the investigations continue."

Town Meeting Editor Brian Keilen contributed to this story. Megan Taylor can be reached for question or comment at mtaylor@michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-264-9711.