Dr. Bolek Payan, a Michigan physician who specialized in psychiatry, was found dead under the ice of a pond on his property on December 27, 2022. His disappearance and death have shocked and saddened his family, friends, colleagues, and patients. How did he die and what was the cause of his death? Here are some facts and details about the tragic case of Dr. Bolek Payan.
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The Disappearance of Dr. Bolek Payan
Dr. Bolek Payan was last seen on December 22, 2022, when he left Henry Ford Allegiance Health Hospital in Jackson, Michigan, where he worked as a psychiatrist. He was supposed to pick up his dogs from a family friend’s house later that day, but he never showed up. His truck was found parked at his home in Leoni Township, Michigan, but there was no sign of him.
The Blackman-Leoni Township Department of Public Safety launched a search for Dr. Payan, using dogs, drones, and officers to comb the area around his house. They also accessed his home security system, which showed him leaving his house on foot on the day he vanished.
The Discovery of Dr. Bolek Payan’s Body
After several days of unsuccessful search efforts, the authorities decided to cut holes in the ice of a pond near Dr. Payan’s house on December 27, 2022. Around 12:30 p.m., divers discovered his body under a block of thick ice. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The police said that they believed Dr. Payan had died before he was reported missing, due to the weather conditions on the day he left his house and the fact that he was in the water.
The Cause of Death of Dr. Bolek Payan
The Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy and a toxicology report to determine the cause of death of Dr. Payan. According to CrimeOnline, the autopsy report revealed that the cause of death was drowning, with contributing causes of hypothermia and ketamine intoxication.
Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic drug that can cause hallucinations, dissociation, and sedation. It is not clear how or why Dr. Payan had ketamine in his system, or whether it was intentional or accidental.
The Legacy of Dr. Bolek Payan
Dr. Bolek Payan was born on October 22, 1990, in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2017 and completed his residency and internship at Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson, Michigan. He became a board-certified psychiatrist and was respected and appreciated by his patients, residents, and peers.
Dr. Payan was also a loving son, grandson, and friend who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He liked being outdoors hiking, camping, kayaking, and stargazing. He also loved playing with his dogs Mishka and Dottie and going to concerts.
Dr. Payan’s obituary described him as “a wise, confident, intelligent, and most generous human being” who was “devoted to his duties as son, grandson, and friend”. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A memorial visitation for Dr. Payan will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Burden Patience Montgomery Funeral Home in Jackson, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
