Tearful Family Members Plead For Tips In Missing Woman/Murder Case
DEARBORN (WWJ) - The family of missing dollar store employee Brenna Machus of Romulus is asking for the public's help to find her.
Police believe Machus, 20, was abducted from the Dearborn Family Dollar on Michigan Ave. Monday evening, after a co-worker, 20-year-old Joseph Orlando, was fatally shot.
"They need to find her ... She needs to be home with the ones that love her," said Lisa Machus, Brenna's mother, at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
Breanna's brother, Ryan Macchus, who described his sister as "bright" and "a fighter," said it's believed there was an altercation behind the store and that Breanna opened the door to check it out, "...and that's all we know," he said.
Orlando had started working at the store just last week.
"You know ... he was a typical kid ... and young man," said Orlando's grandfather, Alan Konkel, through tears. "He was just ecstatic; he was happy about a job. He was smiling all the time, and it was just senseless."
Police Chief Ron Haddad said they''re looking to talk to two female customers who were in the store at around 7:30 p.m., before a hooded male suspect entered.
"I want to emphasize that they're not people of interest. They're just somebody that will help us establish a timeline," Haddad said.
They're also looking for tips from anyone who can identify that suspect, whose image was captured on security footage. Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest.
A $11,100 reward is being offered for the tip that leads to Machus' wherabouts.
Those with information are urged to call Dearborn police at 313-943-2241, or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 1-800-SPEAK UP. You can also text your tip to CRIMES (274637).
