Southfield

Police believe Helen Gale murder suspect has been found

By Jennie Miller
C & G Staff Writer

Though he still roams the streets, Southfield Police believe they’ve found the man responsible for the brutal Nov. 26, 2011 murder of Helen Gale, 81, whose body was discovered in the backseat of her burning car in the city of Highland Park.

The suspect, identified only as a 45-year-old Southfield man, was reportedly an “acquaintance” of the victim, a longtime employee in the Southfield Parks & Recreation Department who was beloved by many in the community.

“We don’t believe this to be a random act,” said Southfield Lt. Nick Loussia, who confirmed that the suspect is not a relative of the victim, but refrained from further explanation so as to not jeopardize the investigation.

While the individual was arrested on Jan. 16 and a warrant request was presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office, a decision on the warrant has been delayed pending the completion of forensic testing. Police would go no further into the details of the testing or the delay.

After being held for 72 hours by the Southfield Police Department, the suspect was reportedly transferred to the custody of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for probation violation. Police would not say what crime he was on probation for, but did report that he is no longer in custody.

“We want people to know that an arrest was made,” Loussia said. “The citizens have been very concerned. … We believe that this is the person.”

Additionally, police are seeking help from the public, because it is believed that someone unknowingly aided the suspect via transportation from Highland Park back to Southfield, after driving the car and Gale’s body from her home in the 20000 block of Winchester Street to the alley at 196 West Buena Vista.

“Someone either picked him up, or he could have gone to someone’s house or he could have called a cab,” Loussia said. “This may jog their memory (and) we want them to come forward. Maybe it’s a cab driver or a friend of this individual … (who gave him) a ride back from Highland Park.”

Police believe the crime occurred inside the victim’s Winchester Street home. After the silver 2005 Honda Accord was found ablaze in Highland Park with a body in the backseat, burned beyond recognition, the investigation revealed that the car belonged to Gale, and Southfield Police were notified. Gale’s family had last spoken to her at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25, the night before the body was found.

Police searched Gale’s home with the help of a family member and determined that she’d been the victim of a crime. Police would not say if anything was missing or in disarray, but Loussia did reveal that there was no forced entry to the home, and that the search “yielded evidence that suggests that the homeowner was the victim of a crime and that an assault or struggle took place inside of the home.”

For weeks, police had no leads, and the victim’s family pleaded with the public to come forward. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of Gale’s murderer.

“This is a mother and an amazing woman and a human being who was taken in the most ruthless, horrific way,” said Nancy Gale, 48, the youngest of the victim’s two daughters, who lives in Los Angeles and was the last known person to speak with her.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Southfield Police Department at (248) 793-5500 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip hotline (800) SPEAKUP (773-2587).

Call Jennie Miller at (586) 279-1108. Become a fan of the Southfield Sun on Facebook at www.facebook.com/southfieldsun or follow Jennie Miller on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jenniexmiller.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Jennie Miller at jmiller@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1108.