Authorities Have 5 Suspects In 1983 Death Of Teen Who Might Have Been Intentionally Run Down
VICKSBURG, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say they have five suspects in the 1983 death of a teenager who may have been intentionally struck by a vehicle in southwestern Michigan.
Sheriff's investigators have said they believe 16-year-old Erik Cross was intentionally struck by a vehicle near Vicksburg, located about 15 miles south of Kalamazoo. Erik's father found him the morning of June 26, 1983, in the road near the family's home.
The case has been forwarded to prosecutors for possible charges.
"Right now we have five persons who are believed to be involved in some way, either through coverup, direct involvement or aiding and abetting in the case," Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas told WWMT-TV.
Erik Cross' sister Jackie Mitchell told the TV station that she wants to know what really happened to her brother. She says he may have been dead before he was run over.
The cold case investigation into Erik's death heated up last fall when authorities learned of an effort to conceal information in the case and deceive detectives and the teen's family.
"There is no statute of limitations on murder, so any charge you see will have murder as a central point," Matyas said. "Conspiracy to commit murder is every bit as guilty as committing it yourself."
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