Two deaths were reported during and after the Electric Forest festival, one taking place during the festival and one after it. A newborn baby was found dead in a portable bathroom facility Sunday morning during the Electric Forest music festival in Rothbury, the Michigan State Police announced on its X/Twitter account Sunday afternoon. According to the release, "the body was discovered by an employee of the restroom vending company during routine maintenance." The police referred to the deceased infant as a "neonate" in its report; the word is used to refer to a baby under a month old. According to a WOOD-TV report Wednesday morning, an autopsy showed the baby was born alive, and not stillborn. An investigation is ongoing. The police encourages anyone with information about the incident to submit a tip at michigan.gov/michtip. The police are concerned for the health of the mother of the child and seek more information about the circumstances of the birth. "We appreciate the public's cooperation and ask that people avoid speculation on social media out of respect for the investigation and those affected," the police stated. The festival addressed the incident in a post on its Facebook page Sunday. "Forest Family, it causes us so much pain to have to share this difficult news with you," the post read in part. "HQ is heartbroken and knows that our Forest Family is as well." Tuesday morning, a 28-year-old man, Jerard Jackson, from Illinois, was reported to have died by suicide after his body was found near the Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail in Rothbury. Jackson was reported missing Monday after having been last seen at 10 a.m. According to the Michigan State Police, Jackson had reported an alleged criminal incident involving a friend of his, but after interviews of all parties involved, police determined there was no evidence a crime had been committed. The police said there is no evidence of foul play in Jackson's death, though an investigation is ongoing pending final report from the medical examiner. Jackson's cell phone and other belongings were left behind after he departed the festival, and his rental vehicle was located with his wallet and keys inside.
