Eastpointe Man Remains In Custody After Wife, 2 Kids Found Dead

EASTPOINTE (WWJ/AP) -  Formal charges are expected Wednesday against an Eastpointe man after his 37-year old wife and two young children were found apparently murdered in their home.

The bodies of a Christie Fradeneck, her 8-year-old son Timothy, and 2-year-old daughter Celeste were discovered by police Monday night at the house on Cushing Avenue, in a neighborhood along Gratiot Avenue between 8 and 9 Mile roads.

Eastpointe police Lt. Neil Childs said Tuesday that investigators were trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

"We had no prior runs out there for domestic violence or anything of that nature," Childs said. "As far as motive is concerned, we're still investigating."

Officers visited the home after the woman's sister called police. She couldn't reach her sister, stopped by the home and saw cars in the driveway but didn't get an answer at the door, Childs said.

"We went over to the home to do a well-being check," Childs said. "The husband did open the door."

Police went inside and found Christie Fradeneck and children dead. The husband and father, 38, was taken into custody without incident, Childs said, and police weren't looking for anyone else in connection with the deaths.

Wesley Schuam, who lives across the street, said he heard a disturbance but didn't think twice about it.

"All I heard was some yelling and screaming," he told WWJ's Jon Hewett. "Then she came out and said 'my kids' and I didn't think nothing of it. But then I was sitting watching TV then all of a sudden I see cops out in front of the house, and it's like they're blocking off the road."

Marline Carrick, who also lives on Cushing, said she heard what sounded like gunfire coming from the house. She said a woman, later identified as the dead woman's mother, was on the front lawn mourning the deaths.

Late Monday night, JeQuita Breham was returning home from the store when she noticed the police activity. After learning that three people were dead, the Detroit Public Schools worker burst into tears.

"I never actually would have imagined something like this happening," Breham said. "It's generally quiet here."

Another neighbor, Scott, was "shocked" to hear the news.

"I think I saw him out there on Saturday when it was a nice day out. He was always nice to his kids. He was friendly, helpful," said Scott. "It's unbelievable, it's really, really, really, really -- you would never expect this dude to do something like this."

Possible causes deaths haven't been released, with police awaiting autopsy results before presenting the case to the Macomb County prosecutor's office.

Michigan State Police are involved in the investigation, which is ongoing.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to accept donations to help with funeral costs.

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