Neighbors on a block of Stoepel near the Lodge noticed a bad odor more than a week ago. After trying to determine where it was coming from, they realized it was coming from a home at the end of the block and called police, who made a gruesome discovery.
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison said officers first went to the home on a well-being check.
"Officers initially responded for a well-being check following a foul odor reported by a neighbor," Bettison said.
When police entered the home on Thursday, they found a 14-year-old boy and his 50-year-old mother, both dead, in what investigators believe was potentially a murder-suicide.
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The case took another turn the following day.
"On Friday, after speaking with the family, we learned the woman's husband had not been seen or heard from in years," Bettison said.
Police returned to the home Friday and made another discovery.
"We launched our missing person's investigation and returned to the home and discovered skeletal remains in the basement," Bettison said.
On Monday, people were seen going in and out of the home wearing masks and hazmat gear. Numerous bugs and flies were visible on the windows inside the home. Neighbors said they had not seen the man in years, and that the mother rarely left the house, only seen grabbing the occasional DoorDash order. Neighbors also said the smell had been ongoing for days before it was identified as coming from the home.
Police say it appears all 3 died from gunshot wounds, but autopsy results are still pending.
Samuel Jenkins, who lives nearby, said the situation has shaken the neighborhood.
"Everybody's heard about it in the neighborhood, it's a tragic situation," Jenkins said.
"My heart goes out to that entire family," Jenkins said.
"We just hope things get better for our community and we as parents and grandparents work towards that goal," Jenkins said.
Detroit police say the investigation is ongoing.
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