GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. (WXYZ) - The family of Joanne Romain does not believe police reports that say the 55-year-old committed suicide. They believe she was murdered.
Romain vanished in January of 2010. She was last seen near her car which was parked outside St. Paul on the Lake Catholic church in Grosse Pointe Farms. Volunteers searched for her along the shores of Lake St. Clair. Her body was later found in the Detroit River. Police believe she committed suicide by walking into the freezing waters.
A year after her disappearance, Romain's family and their attorney say they've uncovered new evidence disputing the police theory of suicide. They say she left no footprints on dry pavement next to her car in the church parking lot where she was last seen. They also discovered other footprints across the street at water's edge, footprints that could not have belonged to her. They also believe there were signs of assault and possibly attempted robbery.
"Her purse was found torn and ripped in the passenger seat of her vehicle. Additionally there were fresh contusions on her left arm, the arm that she generally carried her purse on. Those contusions were not familiar with the family," says Jeffrey Abood, the family's attorney.
Police say it would take compelling evidence to reopen the investigation into her death.
The family says Romain believed she was being followed prior to her death and even talked about hiring a bodyguard. Her daughter told Action News she has several suspects in mind and she believes people know what actually happened to her mom.
Questions or Comments? Contact Clinton Charles Van Nocker at clint@aboodlaw.com
Romain vanished in January of 2010. She was last seen near her car which was parked outside St. Paul on the Lake Catholic church in Grosse Pointe Farms. Volunteers searched for her along the shores of Lake St. Clair. Her body was later found in the Detroit River. Police believe she committed suicide by walking into the freezing waters.
A year after her disappearance, Romain's family and their attorney say they've uncovered new evidence disputing the police theory of suicide. They say she left no footprints on dry pavement next to her car in the church parking lot where she was last seen. They also discovered other footprints across the street at water's edge, footprints that could not have belonged to her. They also believe there were signs of assault and possibly attempted robbery.
"Her purse was found torn and ripped in the passenger seat of her vehicle. Additionally there were fresh contusions on her left arm, the arm that she generally carried her purse on. Those contusions were not familiar with the family," says Jeffrey Abood, the family's attorney.
Police say it would take compelling evidence to reopen the investigation into her death.
The family says Romain believed she was being followed prior to her death and even talked about hiring a bodyguard. Her daughter told Action News she has several suspects in mind and she believes people know what actually happened to her mom.
Questions or Comments? Contact Clinton Charles Van Nocker at clint@aboodlaw.com
