Candlelight Vigil Planned for Man Police Beleive Was Found Dead in Detroit River

Friends and family of Thomas Lange planned two candlelight vigils, despite concrete evidence a body found in a car Thursday afternoon in the Detroit River is that of their loved one.

The vigils are set for 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday at McCaffery's Bar, 4210 Fort St., in Lincoln Park.

Lange was last seen on Dec. 30, 2003. His mother, Judy Torck  reported him missing after he did not come home following a shift at his job at Tullio's La Riviera Restaurant in Allen Park and a brief stop at the nearby Wheat & Rye Steak House, where he was last seen.

"All I know is, he called me as he was leaving work that night," Torck said. "He said he was stopping by the store to pick me up a few things and he was coming home, but he never came home."

Authorities said there are several similarities between the body found in the river and the missing person report. The color, year, make and model of the vehicle they recovered from the river match the car Lange was driving the night he disappeared  A license plate found on the car also matches the license plate in the report.

Divers also found Thomas Lange's driver's license in the river Friday morning.

Despite definitive proof, many friends and family believe the body pulled out of the river is that of Thomas Lange, including his two brothers, according to Torck.

Torck, who lives in Arizona, is legal guardian to Lange's 12-year-old son, Nathan. She said she won't make travel arrangements to Michigan or take Nathan out of school until DNA or dental analysis prove the body is that of her son.

"At this time I'd like to say that the investigation is moving forward," Torck said. "I think they (police) are doing a great job. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers."

Nathan turned three years old the same month his father was reported missing.

*A previous version of this article stated a vigil began at 9 p.m.