Kent County prosecutors have ended their pursuit of a man tied to the disappearance of 14-year-old Deanie Peters, closing a chapter in one of Michigan's longest-running cold cases after an appeals court ruled in their favor.

The Kent County Prosecutor's office filed nolle prosequi in January 2026, formally ending the prosecution of James Frisbie, according to Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker.

Frisbie was charged in 2021 with resisting and obstructing police and perjury during the investigation into Peters' disappearance. He was not a suspect in the actual disappearance itself.

The case had been stalled for years after legal challenges from Frisbie's side. In May 2025, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled the district court had erred by binding Frisbie over on a perjury charge and determined the search and seizure of his cell phone was improper.

That ruling became final when the Michigan Supreme Court denied prosecutors' application to appeal in October 2025.

Becker told FOX 17 his office could not proceed following the Court of Appeals decision.

This year marks 45 years since Peters vanished from Forest Hills Central Middle School on February 5, 1981.

Frisbie, who owns a sign company, said he had never met Peters. According to WOODTV, he was only trying to help authorities when he contacted Kent County during the investigation.

The Kent County Sheriff's Office continues to actively pursue any information in the disappearance of Peters. Detectives have encouraged the public to submit tips through several channels, including a direct line at (616) 632-6125 and an online form.

FOX 17 aired a special report in February featuring investigators who opened up evidence collected during the case in hopes of answering the question: Where is Deanie?

The investigation into Peters' disappearance has spanned decades without resolution. Her body has never been found.

The Kent County Sheriff's Office remains committed to solving the case and has provided multiple ways for the public to come forward with information.