Man Accused Of Lying In Jessica Heeringa's 2013 Disappearance Heading To Trial

MUSKEGON (WWJ/AP) - A 47-year-old man accused of lying to police investigating the 2013 disappearance of a gas station clerk in western Michigan is heading to trial.

Kevin Bluhm on Tuesday waived his preliminary examination, The Muskegon Chronicle reported. He's facing a charge of lying to police during a violent crime investigation.

Bluhm is the cousin of Jeffrey Willis, who is charged with abducting a 16-year-old girl in April and the 2014 slaying of 36-year-old jogger Rebekah Bletsch in Dalton Township. Last month, Bluhm waived a preliminary examination on a charge of lying to police in the Bletsch case.

Willis also is being investigated in the 2013 disappearance of Jessica Heeringa, a clerk in Norton Shores. Authorities say Bluhm told police Willis was responsible, but later told police he made it up.

Heeringa hasn't been seen since just before she was closing up an Exxon Station where she worked in Norton Shores on April 26, 2013.

Investigators have said they think the young mother was taken against her will by someone she likely knew. There was no indication of a robbery, as Heeringa's purse, vehicle and other items were left behind at the scene. DNA testing showed a small amount of blood found outside the gas station belonged to Heeringa.

Hundreds of tips have been investigated, but no arrests have been made. A cash reward topping $21,000 is being offered in the case.

Anyone with information on Heeringa's disappearance is asked to contact Silent Observer anonymous tip line at 231-72-CRIME.

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