GARDEN CITY, Mich. (WXYZ) — A 78-year-old woman was stabbed to death inside her home on Rosslyn Street in Garden City Wednesday. Her husband was also stabbed and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he later passed away from his injuries, a family member confirmed with 7 Action News.
The suspect is believed to be a family member who called police before the apparent murder-suicide.
The victims’ granddaughter sent this message to 7 Action News Thursday morning:
Hello, my grandfather has unfortunately passed as well. Thank you for reaching out. We are extremely distraught and cannot comprehend how or why this happened. All we really want people to know is that they were amazing parents and grandparents. They loved all of us so much and were always there for anyone who needed them. We are also glad they are now together and neither of them has to live with these memories. We will continue to pray for them and hope they are resting peacefully.
Police say the call came into dispatch just before 11 a.m. Wednesday. The suspect made a brief statement that he was going to commit suicide and suggested that his location should be tracked.
RIGHT NOW: Police continue to investigate after a Garden City couple was attacked in their home.
— Rudy Harper (@RudyHarperWXYZ) December 23, 2020
A 78-year-old mother and grandmother is dead. Family members say her husband is in the hospital in critical condition. @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/9QfvfKURLu
Dispatchers were able to track the suspect's phone to a home in the 32000 block of Rosslyn St.
When officers arrived, they located three people, 78-year-old Maria Ortega who was deceased, the suspect and Maria's husband, Juan, who was also stabbed but still alive at the time.
Juan was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.
All three individuals are related, police said. However, it's unclear at this time the relation of the suspect and two victims.
The investigation is ongoing with help from Michigan State Police.
