True Life Tuesday: The Oakland County Child Killer

The 4 known victims

This one of the most famous cases in Michigan history. At the time this was the largest murder investigation in US history. The fact that it is still unsolved after more than 40 years is just heartbreaking.

The killings occurred between February 16, 1976 and March 16, 1977. Two boys and two girls between the ages of 10 and 12 were taken from locations near their homes. They were held for a few days and then shot or strangled. The two boys were also sexually assaulted. The four confirmed victims are:

1) Mark Stebbins, 12, of Ferndale

2) Jill Robinson, 12, of Royal Oak

3) Kristin Mihelich, 10, of Berkely

4) Timothy King, 11, of Birmingham

There were also 3 victims that are suspected of being victims of the killer:

1) Cynthia Cadieux, 16, of Roseville

2) Jane Allern, 14, of Roseville

3) Kimberly Alice King, 12, of Warren

A composite drawing of a suspect was released along with the information that the suspect maybe driving a blue AMC Gremlin. This was based upon eyewitness testimony from one of the kidnappings. A task force of law enforcement officials from 13 communities was formed. The task force was never able to determine if this was the work of one killer or more. They checked on over 18,000 tips. These resulted in over 2 dozen arrests on other charges and the discover of a child pornography ring on North Fox Island in Lake Michigan. However, they were not able to make much headway on the investigation and the task force was disbanded in December 1978. After that the investigation was taken over byu the state police. 

There were several suspects in the case. One was Ted Lamborgini. He was eventually convicted on 15 counts of sex crimes against boys. He was offered a plea if he took a polygraph about the case however he refused. 

Another suspect was Chris Busch, son of GM executive Harold Lee Busch. He was eventually linked to the child porn ring on North Fox Island and was arrested. In November 1978 he died under extremely mysterious circumstances . His death was eventually ruled a suicide and this lead was eventually let go of.

A third suspect was convicted pedophile Arch Edward Sloan. In 2012 DNA tests were run on hairs that were found in Sloan's car as well as Mark Stebbins and Timothy King. They were able to determine that the hairs can from the same unknown male but they did not match Sloan. He stated that he loaned his car to several fellow pedophiles during this time. 

A final suspect was Vincent Gunnels. He was only 16 at the time of the murders and ironically he was molested by fellow suspect Chris Busch. His hair was a partial match to one found on Kristin Mihelich body. However, this was not enough to charge him with the murders. While in prison on separate charges he was recorded speaking with his sister on the phone. While she was telling him about the DNA he stated "I wasn't there when it happened." This boasts the theory that there was more than one killer involved. 

This story is one that most children around this area are familiar with. Parents use it as a warning to keep their children safe. Unfortunately after all this time I really doubt that the case will ever be solved.