Estranged Couple Found Dead

"SOUTHFIELD, MI — An estranged couple is dead after an apparent murder/suicide Monday afternoon, according to police.

"Police said a 38-year-old man shot his 33-year-old wife multiple times before turning the gun on himself around 4:30 p.m. on the 22000 block of Poinciana.

"`The weapon was located in the residence next to the male’s body,` said Deputy Chief Nick Loussia. `This investigation is still ongoing (but) we believe that this is a murder/suicide.`

"Loussia said the couple was discovered by the woman’s friend.

"`The woman asked her friend to come over (because) she was having problems with her estranged husband,` Loussia said. `When (the friend) arrived, she knocked on the door and the door was slightly ajar. When she opened it she could see her friend on the floor and she observed a lot of blood around her.`

"The woman called police, who responded to the scene and found the female dead from multiple gunshot wounds, Loussia said. The male had sustained a single gunshot wound to the head.

"No one else was in the home at the time, according to police.

"`We believe the wife was living in this home,` Loussia said. `We’re not sure if (the husband) was still living at home or not.`

"Louissa said police are withholding the names of the deceased pending notification of next of kin."

From the Detroit News...

Married Couple Found Dead

"ST. JOSEPH, MI — Police are investigating an apparent murder/suicide Thursday morning near St. Joseph involving a married couple.

"At 7:42 a.m., officers from the St. Joseph Township Police Department and the Berrien County Sheriff's Office responded to 2946 Windsor Drive after receiving reports of a shooting inside the home, a news release from the St. Joseph Township Police Department said.

"Officers entered the residence and found 49-year-old Kevin Hickman and 45-year-old Kathleen Hickman, believed to be husband and wife, in the master bedroom with `apparent gunshot wounds,` police said.

"A teenage male was at the home at the time of the shooting.

"According to a preliminary investigation, Hickman shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself, police said.

"As of Thursday evening, a motive for the killing is unknown, police said."

From mlive.com...

"Time To Die"

"ROSEVILLE, MI — Announcing it was `time to die,` a 55-year-old Roseville man shot his live-in girlfriend in the chest and then turned the gun on himself, police said.

"The woman, 55, who survived the Saturday night attack, was in extremely critical condition at a local hospital, Roseville Police Chief James Berlin said today. The boyfriend was dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head when police arrived in the 26000 block of Ridgemont, Berlin said.

"Police were sent to the area about 11:15 p.m. Saturday on a report of gunshots being fired and a woman screaming for help. They found the woman, who Berlin did not name, lying in the driveway of the home, wounded. A short distance away was her boyfriend's body, police said.

"The pair shared the home on 26378 Ridgemont, apparently for at least a few years. The man, who Berlin identified as Michael Joseph Powell, had been suffering long-term health issues.

"But, he said, Powell had been drinking heavily that day or night, which exacerbated his medical condition, leading the couple to argue. Part of the argument, Berlin said, was about Powell's drinking.

"During the argument, the girlfriend told police, Powell pulled out a .380-caliber, semiautomatic handgun and pointed it at her and said it was `time to die,` Berlin said. He said Powell fired a shot at her inside the home and missed, hitting a bedroom wall.

"She fled the house, screaming for help, alerting neighbors who immediately called police. She took cover behind a car, but the man found her and shot at her, hitting her once in the chest, police said.

"He then walked a short distance and turned the gun on himself, taking his own life, police said.

"`It's kind of a tragedy all the way around,` Berlin said."

From freep.com...

Two Found Dead In Empty Health Club

"SOUTHGATE, MI — Police are still on the scene of what appears to be a murder/suicide at a health club in a shopping center.

"According to Public Safety Director Thomas Coombs, police were called to Downriver Gymnastics on 13777 Eureka Road at about 9:15 a.m. Monday after receiving an open 911 call.

"`An open 911 call is when no one is talking on the other end,` Coombs said.

"`The dispatcher could hear what they thought was someone arguing on the other end of the phone. They dispatched officers and upon arrival they discovered the bodies of a male and female in what appears to be a murder/suicide.

"`The female victim was an employee of the club.`

"According to police the two were the only people in the facility.

"`The door was locked and the owner came down and opened it up,` Coombs said.

"`It appears a handgun was used in the incident. We are with holding identification until next of kin can be notified.`

"The facility remains locked while detectives continue to process the scene."

From detroitnews.com...

Couple Found Dead In Bungalow

"TAYLOR, MI — The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined a double shooting that killed a man and woman in a northwest Taylor house Monday night was a murder/suicide, Police Chief Mary Sclabassi said.

"Police found Renee Lutton, 48, and her boyfriend, James Walker, 59, dead in the small bungalow on 26828 Beverly Road Monday night.

"Lutton’s son went to the house to check on her after not being able to contact her. He discovered the two residents dead inside the home and called police, Sclabassi said.

"Sclabassi said an autopsy Tuesday morning determined that Lutton had multiple gunshot wounds and Walker had a self-inflicted gunshot wound at close range.

"Sclabassi said there was no evidence a third party was involved.

"Investigators have not determined what led to the shootings, Sclabassi said."

From thenewsherald.com...

Late Night Argument Turns Deadly

"DETROIT, MI — A case of domestic violence leaves two people dead in a gruesome murder/suicide on Detroit's east side.

"It happened Wednesday evening at a home on Sheridan Street between Vernor and Kercheval.

"Damarco Hayes is trying to find the words to describe what happened at his father's home.

"`It ain't too much I can say. My dad was a good guy. I don't know what happened. Susie was a great woman,` said Hayes. `This ain't him.`

"A family member found Kenyon Woodford and his girlfriend inside the home late Wednesday evening. Police sources said both of them died from gunshot wounds to the head.

"Investigators at the scene told [reporters] this was an apparent murder-suicide.

"Woodford's son had a message to the family of his dad's girlfriend.

"`To Susie's family. I'm sorry. I know y'all,` said Hayes. `I'm sorry for the bottom of my heart. We're both victims.`

"Sources told [reporters] the couple had broken up. Woodford recently moved out. Sources said his girlfriend came to his new home Tuesday. An argument in the middle of the night turned deadly."

From clickondetroit.com...

Ex-Husband Shows Up With A Gun

"WILLIS, MI — A Willis man is recovering at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Sunday afternoon after a woman’s ex-husband shot him in the midsection before turning the gun on himself Saturday night, a family member said.

"Nicholas Elka was rushed to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital with a gunshot wound in his abdomen after a man shot him outside his home, said Larry Woerst, Elka’s grandfather. Woerst said Elka was being dropped off at the home in the 8500 block of Bunton Road about 11:40 p.m. Saturday by a female friend he’d been out with a few times.

"When they arrived at the residence, the woman’s ex-husband was parked in the front yard, Woerst said.

"`My grandson got out of the car, walked up and said, 'What’s going on, what do you need, what do you want,'` Woerst said. `And, the guy said, 'I left you messages, I said I was gonna take care of you.' And, he pulled out a gun and shot my grandson.`

"Woerst said the bullet went through Elka's abdomen and exited through his back. Despite his wound, he was able to make it to the home next door where his mother lives.

"After shooting Elka, the man fatally shot himself, Woerst said.

"Elka was brought to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and underwent surgery for three-and-a-half hours, Woerst said. The bullet missed hitting any bones, and he’s expected to recover at this point. Woerst said he was able to speak with Elka by phone Sunday morning.

"`He’s a very, very lucky young man,` Woerst said, adding that Elka is still in intensive care and being watched closely by doctors."

From mlive.com...

Police Chase Ends With Dead Driver, Body in Trunk

"WYOMING, MI — Three people and an unborn baby are dead after a bizarre chain of events in the Grand Rapids area.

"It began with a report of an abandoned vehicle near Gezon Park in Wyoming and the discovery of homicide victim Charles Oppenneer Wednesday.

"That triggered the search for his 18-year-old pregnant girlfriend, Brooke Slocum.

"It all came to a bloody disturbing end when police gave chase to a suspect in the investigation and he crashed into the railing on the bridge that carries Burton St. over U.S. 131 late last night.

"Police say they found their suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound behind the wheel and Slocum’s body in the trunk.

"Slocum was 8-1/2 months pregnant."

From WKZO...

UPDATE:

07/28/2014 — The Craigslist connection...

Two Dead After Auto Shop Attack

"YPSILANTI, MI — The man who was stabbed at an Ypsilanti Township auto shop by a man who later took his own life on U.S. 23 died from his injuries Thursday morning, a sheriff’s office official confirmed Thursday.

"Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Geoffrey Fox said the 36-year-old Ypsilanti Township man who was stabbed Monday afternoon at Mike’s Welding and Fabricating died shortly before noon Thursday at St Joseph Mercy Hospital in Superior Township.

"`He passed away this morning due to medical complications due to the stabbing,` Fox said.

"The man has been identified as Shaun Martin Psimer.

"Psimer was stabbed in the throat and back multiple times by 46-year-old Robert David Richmond, of Howell, about 3:40 p.m. Monday at the auto shop, 1539 Ecorse Road, police said. Richmond then fled the area in a silver Ford Escape.

"Mike Olson, the owner of the shop, said Richmond asked for Psimer by name. He then entered the restroom, which the man had entered shortly before, and stabbed him, Olson said.

"Olson said he found his friend sprawled out on the bathroom floor, bleeding from his wounds. Olson called 911, and Psimer was taken to St Joseph Mercy Hospital by Huron Valley Ambulance crews.

"During a traffic stop on northbound U.S. 23 near Eight Mile Road in Green Oak Township, Richmond shot himself once in the head after he was pulled over by a Northfield Township police officer. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"With both the suspect and victim dead, Fox said determining a motive for the stabbing is going to be incredibly difficult — and it may never be known."

From mlive.com...

"I Just Killed My Wife"

"STEVENSVILLE, MI — Investigators say 57-year-old David Tripp shot and killed his wife, 42-year-old Delaina Tripp, then turned the gun on himself.

"It all played out around 6 this morning, along West John Beers Road, between Hollywood Rd and Lincoln Avenue.

"Police dispatch received a call from a driver around 6:13 am saying they saw a man chasing a woman across this road with a gun.

"They also say a second 911 call came in from David Tripp saying, `I just killed my wife.`

"After that, police say the man went back outside and shot himself near his home on 406 W. John Beers Road.

"When officials arrived at the scene they found Delaina Tripp had been run over. Police believe she was struck by a westbound vehicle while she lay dead in the road.

"This vehicle is a 1998 through 2002 Honda Accord. The color is unknown, and the vehicle has under carriage damage and is missing the right front inner fender.

"Neighbors say the couple kept to themselves. David Tripp has lived in this area for many years.

"`Just totally unbelievable for out here,` Cindy Diedrich, who lives across from the murder scene says. `I never would have expected it.`

"Diedrich says the couple recently got married, and kept to themselves.

"Police say Delaina was shot at least once. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.

"Police search the couple's homes, and found no clues as to why Tripp killed his wife."

From WBST22...

Cop Found Dead In Domestic Incident

"REDFORD TOWNSHIP, MI — A Detroit Police officer was among two people found dead in a Redford Township home late this morning in what police are classifying as a murder/suicide, Redford Police officials said.

"Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 9900 block of Kinloch Street at 11:39 a.m. in Redford Township for a report of a possible homicide. Responding officers found two deceased subjects.

"No suspects are actively being sought, police said.

"One of the deceased has been identified as 50-year-old Anna Hamilton.

"Detroit Police Chief James Craig did not identify the officer, but said she was a 16-year veteran of the department and was `well loved and liked by her co-workers.`

"Based on the information he has received, Craig said the incident appears to be domestic."

From freep.com...

Son Finds Parents Dead In Yard

"IRONWOOD, MI — Ironwood authorities have identified the man and woman dead in what they say appears to be a murder-suicide.

"The Ironwood Public Safety Department responded to 88 Burt Street in the Jessieville area of the city around around 7:20 a.m. Monday. Sgt. Adam Clemens told Eyewitness News that the couple's son called after finding them dead in the yard.

"According to authorities, David Rudolph Mukavitz, 83, shot and killed his wife Constance Helen Mukavitz, 77, before killing himself. Clemens said two rifles were involved, but could not tell us how many shots were fired.

"Authorities said both were in ill health which may have been a contributing factor.

"`This is highly unusual,` Clemens said. `I've been a police officer for 19 years and this is the first time I've ever had something like this.`

"The Michigan State Police Crime Lab and Gogebic County Prosecutor's Office are assisting in the investigation."

From wdio.com...

Dead Couple's Child Found Crying Outside Home

"LANSING, MI — A Lansing couple found dead in what police believe is a murder/suicide have been identified as 43-year-old Kristin Batdorf and her husband, 47-year-old Jose Armando Rodriguez-Yera.

"Their names were released Thursday afternoon, about 13 hours after the couple's 6-year-old son was found crying outdoors.

"Police say they believe the husband killed his wife, then himself. Police haven't said how they died.

"Officers responded about 1 a.m. Thursday following a report about the child and found the boy uninjured. Police went to the boy's home and found his mother dead on a floor and his father's body inside the garage.

"The child is in protective custody.

"Neighbor Kara Miller tells the Lansing State Journal that the couple `were good folks` and `everybody knew them.`"

From WJBK...

Teen Hears Shots, Finds Bodies, Calls 911

"PONTIAC, MI — A 30-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were found shot to death Sunday afternoon by Oakland County Sheriff's deputies.

"Both were located in the upstairs bedroom of their home in the 90 block of Ridgemont in Pontiac.

"According to the Sheriff's Department, the woman was found deceased on the bed while the man was discovered behind the door with a rifle lying across his chest.

"The 16-year-old nephew of the woman told deputies his aunt and her husband had been arguing in the bedroom for an hour.

"The teen, who lived in the home, said he heard two gunshots. He went upstairs and found them shot.

"He ran to a relative's home and called 911.

"The Sheriff's Department is reporting that the preliminary investigation suggests a possible murder/suicide pending a ruling from the Medical Examiner's office."

From clickondetroit.com...

Facebook Message Leads Man To Gruesome Scene

"DETROIT, MI — A man who read his brother’s message on Facebook that he would commit suicide rushed to his sibling’s home and found the bodies of his brother and a woman.

"Police were called to the home—located in the 15000 block of Rossini, near State Fair and Gratiot—at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, according to Third Deputy Chief Rodney Johnson.

"`The man went to the home to check on his brother and had to force his way into the home via the rear entrance,` Johnson said. `He went to the bedroom and found blood coming from underneath the door. He called 911, and when police arrived, they found two bodies, that of a man and a woman.`

"According to Johnson, police also found two guns nearby.

"`We’re still investigating, but at this point, it looks like it is probably a murder/suicide,` Johnson said. `We’re not sure of the relationship between the man and the woman, but it looks like it might be some kind of a domestic dispute.`"

From detroitnews.com...

Imaginary Police, Methamphetamines Foil Shooter's Plan

"COLOMA, MI — The Coloma Township Police Department has determined that the double shooting on January 7 was an attempted murder/suicide.

"According to police, they reached their conclusion after interviewing the surviving victim, Carey Burgess-Wagnon, evidence at the scene and the autopsy on Richard Merchant.

"Burgess-Wagnon told police Merchant woke her early in the morning and accused her of having an affair. He attacked her and attempted to strangle her, police said.

"Burgess-Wagnon said the incident may have been fueled by Merchant's use of methamphetamines earlier.

"She said she curled up on the bedroom floor and he got the two guns. She said he threatened to kill her and himself.

"She said he paced around the house and, believing she had called police, began shouting threats `towards the imaginary officers outside the home` according to the police press release.

"Burgess-Wagnon said at one point Merchant fired shots out the bedroom window and two shots through the front door where he thought the police were.

"Merchant went back into the bedroom and fired one round at Burgess-Wagnon. It struck her in the hip.
He fired again at her, but missed.

"Merchant then shot and killed himself, reports said.

"When police arrived, Merchant had both guns in his possession. They traced and accounted for all of the rounds and bullets fired.

"Police had never been called out to the house for domestic abuse, reports said.

"Family members told police that Merchant had a long-time drug abuse problem and a history of suicide attempts."

From abc57.com...

Police Suspect Attempted Murder/Suicide

"MIDLAND, MI — One person is dead and another is clinging to life in what appears to be an attempted murder/suicide.

"The two people were discovered in an apartment at the Joseph's Run apartment complex just off of US-10.

"The initial report that police got was this was a possible carbon monoxide situation, but when police arrived and examined the bodies, they realized both people had been shot.

"Police [said] a family member called 911 just after noon, when the two people were found unconscious.

"A 31-year-old woman died and a 36-year-old man was rushed to the hospital with what are described as life-threatening injuries.

"Police are not looking for suspects at this time and it's possible this was an attempted murder/suicide. A handgun was found in the apartment."

From abc12.com...

Police Find Three Dead In Home

"LANSING, MI — A 53-year-old Lansing man shot and killed his wife and her 14-year-old son Thursday night before fatally shooting himself, Lansing police said today.

"Police identified the man as Randy Keith. Police say he killed his wife, 37-year-old Christine Keith, and her 14-year-old son, Isaac Miller.

"The couple were married in 2003. They had three children together, ages 8, 6 and 4, court records show. Those children were not at the home in the 700 block of West Saginaw Street at the time of the shooting.

"Christine Keith filed for divorce in April but dropped the case less than a month later. She also filed a personal protection order in April against her husband but rescinded it in July.

"Police went to the home after receiving a call about a woman who appeared to be dead inside.

"Officers made an emergency entry around 7:20 p.m., according to Capt. Daryl Green.

"Officers found Randy Keith, his wife and her son dead inside."

Source: Detroit Free Press...

UPDATE:

12/12/2013 — Unlike yours truly, victim was a popular blogger...

Dead Couple Had Been Married Over 60 Years

"EAST LANSING, MI — East Lansing police said the deaths of an elderly couple overnight appears to be a murder/suicide.

"Lt. Scott Wriggelsworth said the son of Alfred and Jean Clausen called police after he found his parents dead from gunshot wounds at their home on 1234 W. Saginaw Street around 8 p.m. Sunday. Both were 91 and had health issues, police said.

"The couple’s son, Alfred Clausen, 63, of Delhi Township, had been visiting and taking care of his elderly parents on a daily basis, police said, and when he tried to contact them Sunday and couldn’t he went to their home.

"The initial investigation revealed that the husband shot his wife of over 60 years with a handgun and then shot himself. Both were in failing health and a note was located at the scene, Wriggelsworth said.

"The note was written by the elderly Clausen to his son. Wriggelsworth said it could not be determined if Jean Clausen knew of the plan."

From LSJ.com...

Killer Commits Suicide By Crashing Into Semi

"HOWELL, MI — Livingston County sheriff’s officials say an Oceola Township man killed his live-in girlfriend at their home and then committed suicide by intentionally striking a semi head-on in Monroe County.

"Authorities identified the crash victim as Mark William Herrick, 44. Neighbors identified the woman as Gail Dimitroff, 51, although police would not confirm that.

"Police discovered the woman dead in their home on 2557 Hilltop Lane in the Lakeshore Pointe subdivision around 2:30 p.m. Monday after the woman’s employer reported she hadn’t shown up for work.

"Officers searched for her boyfriend, identified as Herrick, and noticed his 2013 Chevrolet Malibu was gone. Police later learned the car was involved in a crash in Monroe County, and he was dead.

"`Preliminarily, the evidence points to this being a murder/suicide,` Livingston County Undersheriff Michael Murphy said. `We believe the 44-year-old man murdered the 51-year-old woman by blunt-force trauma. He then fled the scene and intentionally crashed his vehicle head-on into a semi, killing himself.`"

Source: Detroit Free Press...