Grosse Pointe Park

Family of murdered Park woman issues statement

By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer

Troubled by recent media reports implying that murdered marketing executive and mother Jane Bashara may have been unfaithful to her husband, Bob Bashara — a “person of interest” in the case, according to police — her siblings and parents issued a statement Feb. 10 attesting to her strong moral character.

The statement, in part, reads:

“After recent comments made to the media about Jane, our family feels compelled to respond. It is well known in our family that Bob and Jane did not have a perfect marriage. Over the last several years, our family has observed an obvious change in Bob and Jane’s relationship. We, as a family, are certain that Jane would have chosen to end her marriage rather than participate in an open marriage. We are unaware of any other man in Jane’s life and sincerely believe we would have known about any such person due to our close relationship with our sister/daughter. We are confident that anyone who knows Jane would agree that she held herself to the highest ideals of honesty, loyalty, ethics and morals. Any comments made to the contrary should be met with disbelief.

“Our family is devastated and deeply troubled by the horrific situation in which Jane’s children have been placed. Those two incredible young adults have the best of their amazing mother within them, and we will continue to remind them of that and urge them to hold onto all that their mother taught and instilled in them. Jane consistently stressed the importance of strong family relationships and we remain committed to the support and well being of her children. Each and every member of our family loves them both with all our hearts and not a moment goes by that we aren’t praying for and thinking about them.”

In addition, the family asked that members of the media refrain from contacting Jane Bashara’s elderly parents, who “are in a deep and profound state of shock and grief.”

Some media reports have suggested that Bob Bashara may have had a mistress, although those could not be confirmed at press time.

Jane Bashara, 56, was found strangled in the backseat of her SUV in an alley on Detroit’s east side the morning of Jan. 25. Besides Bob Bashara, her husband of 26 years, and two young adult children, she is survived by two sisters, a brother and both of her parents.

At press time, no charges had been issued in the case, nor had anyone been arrested yet. Joseph Gentz, a handyman for Bob Bashara, has reportedly told police that Bob Bashara forced him to murder his wife. Other media reports allege that Bob Bashara may have hired Gentz to commit the murder, but police would not comment on the case, saying it remains an ongoing investigation.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer K. Michelle Moran at kmoran@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1047.