CUYAHOGA COUNTY — News 5 has obtained court documents detailing what led investigators in June 2024 to a vacant lot in East Cleveland where they found the remains of Michelle Arnold.

Arnold was 23 years old and lived in Maple Heights. She was reported missing to Warrensville Heights police in October 2023.

Watch the original News 5 report where Michelle’s family spoke about her disappearance

Police are investigating the disappearance of Maple Hts. Women

Ebony Arnold, Michelle’s sister, has made it her mission to get justice. She doesn’t want her sister to be forgotten. Her living room contains photos and memorabilia to remind her of the girl she said was calm, generous and courageous.

“What makes you smile,” I asked Ebony.

“I just thought she was funny, silly… having a little random joke here and there,” Ebony said while looking through a book of photos of Michelle.

“For this to happen is simply unacceptable,” Ebony said. “She was a great young woman.”

Ebony said her life hasn’t been the same since Michelle’s disappearance. She said that when authorities found her sister’s body on Strathmore Avenue, it was buried under debris and exposed to the elements.

Watch News 5’s original report after authorities confirm body found was that of Michelle Arnold

‘She didn’t deserve this’: Michelle Arnold’s family reacts to discovery of her remains in East Cleveland

RELATED: ‘She didn’t deserve this’: Michelle Arnold’s family reacts to discovery of her remains in East Cleveland

“She didn’t deserve to be murdered like that,” Ebony said.

I asked him, “There is no doubt that there are people who know what happened to your sister?”

Ebony replied, “Oh, sure. They were there. Absolutely, they know it.

News 5 obtained court documents detailing a search warrant related to the case.

It says that in January 2024, about five months before Michelle’s remains were discovered, an anonymous caller contacted Cleveland Heights police.

According to the documents, the caller said a man currently in jail charged with an unrelated crime, which News 5 is not naming at this time, “…killed Michelle Arnold during a robbery that hurt turned and the body was either in Strathmore or Potomac.”

Ebony said she read the court documents even though it was difficult.

“I really cried, but again, I have strength for the Lord,” Ebony said. “So, I read it.”

The search warrant also stated that just weeks before Michelle was found, the same man mentioned by the informant told a Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department detective during an interview that “…Michelle Arnold was brought at his home for the sale and purchase of a firearm. … ‘in a blue sedan by’… two acquaintances.

According to the documents, the man said, “…after the firearm was sold, the vehicle left with Arnold and Arnold never entered his home…”

The man told the detective he later learned that someone had “…shot and killed Arnold…”

The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday that there were no updates on Michelle’s case and that it was still under investigation.

Ebony said that although no one has been arrested, she has confidence in investigators.

“These guys really do their job,” Ebony said. “They really care.”

She said she wouldn’t let her sister down.

“I will never stop fighting. Even if God calls me home and I leave this earth, I will still fight,” Ebony said.

Ebony plans a memorial service for Michelle. She thinks it will happen in the spring and will feature a horse-drawn carriage and the release of doves. AGoFundMewas created to help him realize this wish.