Charles E. Ramirez / The Detroit News
Bingham Farms— Family members of a Grosse Pointe Woods woman whose body was recovered from Lake St. Clair last year in an apparent suicide say they have evidence that points to foul play, including a torn purse and bruises on her arm.
Joann Matouk Romain disappeared a year ago today — Jan 12, 2010 — and was found dead near the Canadian shore two months later. Her Lexus sedan was found in the parking lot of St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church on Lake Shore Drive.
Footprints in the snow led from the car to the lake, where there appeared to be an impression in the snow of a person sitting on the water's edge, authorities said. There were no footprints walking back to the car, police said.
"I've never believed it was suicide since day one," said Michelle Romain, Joann Romain's daughter. "And now we believe we have evidence to support what I've been saying.
"My family needs closure. We need justice."
Romain made the remarks today at the Bingham Farms-based Abood Law Firm, which the family has retained to investigate the disappearance. They say don't think Joann Romain committed suicide because she was upbeat and was planning for the future.
Grosse Pointe Woods police could not be immediately reached for comment today.
Romain's brand-new purse had been torn and autopsies found fresh bruises on her left arm, family members said. Footprints that authorities said were Romain's were probably made by a man's boot and not the high-heeled boots she was wearing, they said. They also dispute the exact location of the parked vehicle police say she left behind.
"There are no tell-tale signs of suicide," Andrew Abood said.
Jeff Abood, also an attorney with the firm, said two prominent forensic pathologists who conducted privately commissioned autopsies on Romain determined drowning was the cause of her death but couldn't determine the manner of her death. One of the autopsies was conducted by Macomb County Medical Examiner Daniel Spitz. The other was performed by Jeffery Jentzen at the University of Michigan.
Romain, a 55-year-old mother of three, was diabetic.
Investigators also found her purse, wallet and about $1,500 in cash locked inside the car. Her cell phone, keys and rosary were missing.
In the days after her disappearance, police searched Lake St. Clair with the help of the U.S. Coast Guard and at least two dive teams from different county sheriff's offices.
Her body was discovered by a fisherman near the shore of Amherstburg, Ontario, on March 20. Canadian authorities confirmed her identity through dental records
Questions or Comments? Contact Clinton Charles Van Nocker at clint@aboodlaw.com
Bingham Farms— Family members of a Grosse Pointe Woods woman whose body was recovered from Lake St. Clair last year in an apparent suicide say they have evidence that points to foul play, including a torn purse and bruises on her arm.
Joann Matouk Romain disappeared a year ago today — Jan 12, 2010 — and was found dead near the Canadian shore two months later. Her Lexus sedan was found in the parking lot of St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church on Lake Shore Drive.
Footprints in the snow led from the car to the lake, where there appeared to be an impression in the snow of a person sitting on the water's edge, authorities said. There were no footprints walking back to the car, police said.
"I've never believed it was suicide since day one," said Michelle Romain, Joann Romain's daughter. "And now we believe we have evidence to support what I've been saying.
"My family needs closure. We need justice."
Romain made the remarks today at the Bingham Farms-based Abood Law Firm, which the family has retained to investigate the disappearance. They say don't think Joann Romain committed suicide because she was upbeat and was planning for the future.
Grosse Pointe Woods police could not be immediately reached for comment today.
Romain's brand-new purse had been torn and autopsies found fresh bruises on her left arm, family members said. Footprints that authorities said were Romain's were probably made by a man's boot and not the high-heeled boots she was wearing, they said. They also dispute the exact location of the parked vehicle police say she left behind.
"There are no tell-tale signs of suicide," Andrew Abood said.
Jeff Abood, also an attorney with the firm, said two prominent forensic pathologists who conducted privately commissioned autopsies on Romain determined drowning was the cause of her death but couldn't determine the manner of her death. One of the autopsies was conducted by Macomb County Medical Examiner Daniel Spitz. The other was performed by Jeffery Jentzen at the University of Michigan.
Romain, a 55-year-old mother of three, was diabetic.
Investigators also found her purse, wallet and about $1,500 in cash locked inside the car. Her cell phone, keys and rosary were missing.
In the days after her disappearance, police searched Lake St. Clair with the help of the U.S. Coast Guard and at least two dive teams from different county sheriff's offices.
Her body was discovered by a fisherman near the shore of Amherstburg, Ontario, on March 20. Canadian authorities confirmed her identity through dental records
Questions or Comments? Contact Clinton Charles Van Nocker at clint@aboodlaw.com
