Bay City, Michigan 48706
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www.mybaycity.com August 2, 2008
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Curious onlookers view the home of the murdered couple in the aftermath of the double homicide and arson.

Couple Stabbed to Death May Have Witnessed
Drive-By Drug House Shooting

David, Sharron Hetzel Killed by Knife-Wielding Assailant Bent on Revenge?

August 2, 2008       49 Comments
By: Dave Rogers

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This article reports the story from the scene in the immediate aftermath of the event. Over the next five days the true nature of the crime slowly emerged proving it to be a murder suicide.

This article and the reader feedback it generated remains, unchanged, in the historical archive of MyBayCity.com.

To read the publisher's follow up article click here.
A Bay City police officer carries a vase of flowers that had been delivered by a weeping woman, foreground, to the porch of the house where the crime occurred early Saturday.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Reliable sources say a prominent couple, David and Sharron Hetzel, both 56, murdered early Saturday morning had been witnesses to a recent drive-by shooting at an alleged "drug house" in the area.

Unconfirmed reports were the couple was stabbed to death on the second floor of their Victorian home.

Hetzel's Farragut Home Location.


According to sources, drug activities had been occurring in a nearby house and a drive-by shooting occurred in the area recently. The Hetzels reportedly had seen the shooting but it is not known what, if any, information they may have given to police.

The sources theorized the perpetrators of the drive-by shooting learned who the couple was that had witnessed the crime and inflicted retribution on them.

Police would not comment on any investigation or details of the crime or cause of death of the Hetzels. However, a police source reportedly confirmed the cause of death was "a crime," without specifying a weapon or the method by which the murder was carried out.

No details were available on the alleged drive-by shooting or the suspects in that case.

An officer stood guard in a patrol vehicle parked outside the house Saturday evening, and placed on the porch a vase of flowers delivered by a weeping woman, believed to have been a friend of the murdered pair. Other vases and pots flowers also were on the porch, having been delivered earlier.

Bay City Police issued a press release Saturday announcing: "At approximately 6:45 a.m. officers from the Bay City Police Department along with members of the Bay City Fire Department were dispatched to the 400 block of N. Farragut St. on the city's east side for a house fire.

"Upon arrival they discovered a two story home with a large amount of smoke coming from the roof area. Entry was attempted to be made into the home by the police and they were forced back by the amount of smoke.

"Bay City Fire personnel made entry into the home and discovered two bodies on the second floor. Both subjects were deceased."

David Hetzel was a well-known caterer and for a time ran the Real Darn Good Food Company on Third Street. Sharron Hetzel was a non-profit organization executive and most recently headed Studio 23.

The police press release, issued by Lt. Nancy Feinauer, patrol operations, said: "It took fire personnel approximately four hours to extinguish the fire and make the building safe for investigators.

"Bay City Police investigators along with a Bay City Fire Department and Michigan State Police State Fire Marshal are investigating the cause of the fire. Michigan State Police Crime Lab is assisting the Bay City Police to determine the cause of death."

Reports were that several houses suspected of being havens for drug dealers and users are located in the area, not far from the neighborhood known as "the Hood" in past years.

Police reportedly entered the house where drug activity was suspected, and where the drive-by shooting occurred, and found it had been vacated. The only furnishings were mattresses on the floor.###

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"The BUZZ" - Read Feedback From Readers!

Johnbc Says:       On August 03, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Unbelievable speculation in this article. BAsed on hearsay. As much as I don't like the BC Times, at least their article is not based on pure speculation from a "source". This is just unbelievable. Bay City's own online version of the National Enquirer.
DaveRogers says:       On August 03, 2008 at 11:49 AM
John, quoting unnamed sources is standard journalistic practice, especially in stories of great importance. The public needs to know everything a reporter finds out about a case even if it is just speculation. Sticking with the "official" version is far more risky than seeking the truth where it may be found, as in the Weapons of Mass Destruction fiasco re the war in Iraq. Please let us know if you have a different version of how two people died and a fire consumed their home. Thanks for your interest--Dave Rogers
foodcritic04 Says:       On August 03, 2008 at 06:22 PM
I never thought in a million years I would be reading this type of informaiton on My Bay City .com I thought this site as directed into events and things for the city on a upbeat scale. Iam sorry to be a little negative but seeing all this positive stuff and then this, its not the bc times or the local news. I didnt come to this website to see this.
johnbc Says:       On August 03, 2008 at 09:23 PM
You're kidding, right? You place blame in the subhead on a "knife wielding assailant", but then go on to not identify the source, and then further to discuss the unnamed source as speculating? Did it cross your mind to actually check with the police department and get a statement from them that may either confirm or contradict your unnamed source? "Standard Journalitic Practice" (as you call it) also would require more than one source to corraborate a story. Unbelievable that there is no additional source. Perhaps your followup article should call the police chief a liar, since he told the BCT that they are not searching for any suspects. You clearly seem to think that there is a "knife wielding assailant" on the loose. Also, who is your source that calls the neighborhood "the Hood"? "The Hetzels reportedly had seen the shooting but it is not known what, if any, information they may have given to police". Reportedly seen the shooting (according to who?). It is not know what, IF ANY, information they may have given to the police. So..you are saying that they may or may not have seen a shooting. They may or may not have given information to the police. I have one for you...I may or may not continue to read mybaycity.com. But, my sources have said that I should not, because they are not going to either. All five of us.
jakea Says:       On August 03, 2008 at 09:50 PM
John, don't you ever read the National Enquirer? Same type of reporting.
Taliesin1935 Says:       On August 03, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Great, we moved here from Saginaw to get away from this crap. Where to now, Utah?
What? Says:       On August 04, 2008 at 12:58 AM
This is a true sad story and my thoughts and prayers are with the family. I know this is news to Bay City and yes we all know whats happening in this city. But when I started to look at this website a few years back you didnt see this type of info on here. and thats what I like. You dont see it and it should not be here. This is not the bay city times. I advertised here a few years ago as well and was told by OJ himself this website will show positive city side and not show the newspaper side of things. I dont like seeing this website take this turn. My friend is a current advertiser on here and hes advertised here to because its a positive website that shows things like the pig gig, the weekend in pictures, the idol thing, not a murder heck if he wanted that he should advertise on the news channel or the newspaper and not this website. Reconsider and rethink before you make these topics.
Anonymous Says:       On August 04, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Dave,
Speculation is another word for fiction
XXXXX says:       On August 04, 2008 at 02:19 PM
test comment -- comments seem to be feeding correctly . . .
Geraldine42 Says:       On August 04, 2008 at 03:10 PM
"My Bay City" has regularly covered items of interest that are reported three or four days later or not at all in the Bay City Times. Actually with the BCT putting things on the front page like the Pig Gig, I am looking for more agressive reporting. Thanks, Ger
jrjef Says:       On August 04, 2008 at 03:44 PM
What a shame that a decent respectable couple has to be treated to such speculative garbage from the media. Even the Bay City Times is waiting for more information before putting anything in tonights' paper.
shepard1 Says:       On August 04, 2008 at 04:54 PM
This mysterious fire/possible murder is shocking and tragic. I was born and raised in Bay City but now live in Saginaw. My husband and I attended the St Pats Parade this past March and I was shocked to see the gang banger types and other riff raff normally associated with Saginaw lining the parade route and loitering on the side streets. We had to walk back to the car near the area where this couple were murdered and I did NOT feel safe, even in broad daylight. I couldn't believe what happened to some of the neighborhoods I remember growing up. Once beautiful houses are now dumps. Lots of boarded up windows, doors practically hanging off their hinges. What I saw that day gave me the creeps. What's happening to the town I love?? I pray that the police catch whoever did this. And I pray that police are more vigilant about who's moving in to some of these neighborhoods. IMHO, whoever committed the crime did it to send a message to Bay City residents. The police need to do whatever it takes to make BC safe again.
jbc Says:       On August 04, 2008 at 05:38 PM
From WSGW (WSGW somehow forgot to mention the knife wielding assailant, or anything about the drive by shooting). I hate to think that the following is the case at any rate, but if true, SHAME SHAME on Dave Rogers for the article that he wrote:

Investigation Progressing In Bay City Fatal Fire


Investigators say it appears three separate fires were set inside the home of David and Sharron Hetzel. Firefighters found the couple's bodies on the second floor of the home at 406 North Farragut Street about 7 a.m. Saturday. Bay City Police have not said what pathologists found during an autopsy Sunday .

Detectives are not looking for any suspects and are considering the case a possible murder-suicide.
Anonymous says:       On August 04, 2008 at 07:03 PM
jbc: WNEM reported earlier today that police are treating the incident as either a murder-suicide or an arson/homicide, not just a possible suicide. I really don't believe Dave Rogers would have posted his article had he not had trusted sources. I applaud Dave for letting the public know about the information he had so that the citizens could be vigilant and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. I know for a fact that The Bay City Times and Saginaw News don't print ALL of the news and information that the public needs to be aware of. Some Bay Cityans need to take off their rose colored glasses to be able to see that their city is in serious trouble if something isn't done to curtail the drug activity infesting the neighborhoods.
Anonymous Says:       On August 05, 2008 at 06:45 AM
YOU GUYS DONT EVEN KNOW! I happen to know this guy is telling the truth, for real. BCPD just doesnt want to admit that there is a murderer on the loose. I knew the couple and they wouldve never killed themselves. And how did the fire have 3 points of origin while there was no smoke in their lungs? Somebody else set the fire! BATMAN RETURNS BEYOTCH I'll have to clean up "the hood" myself if yall wont!
neileverson Says:       On August 05, 2008 at 08:12 AM
Truth-Dave and Sharron were truely wonderful people and contributers to society. They did not deserve to die this way and they will be missed by many who cared for them. If mybaycity.com wants to write positive articles they should seek out the good that people have to say about this couple. There are many people to get this info from.
Anonymous Says:       On August 05, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I moved to Bay City four years ago from Saginaw...because Bay City was a beautiful upbeat town. It now is on the decline....come on people....this is our town....together we must protect it from gangs or dead beats.
Anonymous Says:       On August 05, 2008 at 10:21 AM
Money problems cause families to do things that otherwise would never think of doing. No one knows nor understands want happens behind closed doors. May these two wonderful people rest in peace. God be with their family at this tragic time.
lauralee Says:       On August 05, 2008 at 12:17 PM
I met Sharon a few times threw my job in the area. She was a wonderful and sweet person...what I knew of her. No matter what happened there are two girls and a grandbaby without parents or grandparents. My sympathies and prayers go out to them during this time of grief and mourning. I will wait till all the facts are out there to form my own personal oppinion even tho it seems to be taking forever. If there is anything I can do for this family they can consider it done. What I will do for them now is not speculate and talk about what I do not know is fact. I will wait for the police to do their job and pray for their family that is still here and suffering today. May God be with them threw this horrible tragedy and thats what it is no matter how you look at it.....a tragedy!
Anonymous Says:       On August 05, 2008 at 06:12 PM
I just love how the Bay City times says an online news source has false information..

But then again I public file (for what I have heard) they filed for chapter 13 and then were evicted from their house..
JulieM says:       On August 05, 2008 at 08:48 PM
I do not know details of all that is going on with this tragedy nor do I want to know..... what I do know..2 people are dead, I did not know them personally but... I'm keeping their families in my prayers for increased strength to get through this difficult time.. Faith in God will get them through this time of grief. and to the deceased, a prayer: Into your hands, O'Lord, we humbly entrust our brothers and sisters. In this life you embraced them with your tender love, deliver them now from every evil and bid them enter eternal rest and peace. Amen
Anonymous says:       On August 06, 2008 at 12:17 AM
With all going on in the world today, good, bad or indifferent, we all have problems, demons and/or skeletons in our closets.
Obviously the Hetzels had the same in their lives.
I reading the Bay City Times, MLive, and MyBayCity, everyone has a job to do, no matter how many times it has to come out in the news, YES THE HETZELS HAD PROBLEMS........But....
now is the time to think of the two daughters Bre & Kristen, and Kristens son Austin, and keep them, in your thoughts and prayers, they recieved a letter/package from their father explaining the situation to them after the fact...my question to you all is how much more can these kids take...leave it alone, and if you knew Sharron and Dave, remember them as you knew them, not as to how all of this happened, and if you didnt them let them rest in peace and pray the kids will be ok.
Sharron and Dave we will all miss you, see you in heaven
Anonymous Says:       On August 06, 2008 at 05:56 AM
Ok....time to put Dave Rogers dreadful story to rest. He did false reporting without any evidence. He should feel ashame of himself. He is no hero. He needs to wipe the smile off his face.
Lets all focus on the real tragic facts here. To the Hetzel family....my prayers are with you all. I am very sadden to hear what happened.
gjgates Says:       On August 06, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Dave's report was irresponsible, nothing but speculation and rumor. Shame on Dave for airing gossip as news after this horrible tragedy. Sharron and Dave's family deserves a retraction and a personal apology.
O.N.Linereader says:       On August 06, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Forgive me, but the official story released today doesn't make sense to me. I'm not saying Mr. Roger's story is right either. They say there's this story, that story, and the truth. The truth I've seen from this story is the "Buzz". Bay Citians are fed up with what is happening to their town, and local government has to step it up to get ahead of the decay. My prayers are with the Hetzel family.
NewToBayCity says:       On August 06, 2008 at 01:31 PM
my prayers go out to the Hetzels and their friends and family. This is so very sad. So many people are having financial problems today and my heart goes out to all of them. May they rest in peace.
Anonymous says:       On August 06, 2008 at 01:34 PM
I think Dave owes his readers an apology for printing a sensational story based on 'reliable sources' regarding the Hetzel fire/killings. That kind of story really needs to have all the facts out before any information is published.
My heart and prayers go out to the Hetzel daughters. When I read the details in the news, all I could think about was that it could be any one of us in their situation. With the economy the way it is and home foreclosures on the rise, I predict that more and more of these events will occur. It was apparently just too much for Mr Hetzel to bear. May they rest in peace.
baycityres says:       On August 06, 2008 at 01:50 PM
So where did the driveby shooting come from ?
Anonymous Says:       On August 06, 2008 at 02:28 PM
A car, no doubt. Silly.
Anonymous Says:       On August 06, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Dave Rogers totally jumped the gun here and should be ashamed. I'm sure he feels foolish now that all of the facts have been discovered and publicized. He reported specualtion and rumors, that is it. You all know how stories can get twisted around and that is what happened here. That is classic National Enquirer BS!! Just because he masked it with such words as "reportedly" and such does not make it ok. He heard some rumors, and reported it as a "breaking story"! As far as the above comment that the BCPD does not want to admit that there is a murderer on the loose, have you read any other news lately? How about the murder that happened a few weeks back where the police chief has announced that they have no suspects?? Why did they not attempt such a clever coverup there? Nice try Batman!
%OJ says:       On August 06, 2008 at 05:29 PM
Comments on this particular Internet thread will no longer be taken at MyBayCity . . . Thank you all for your input.
Agree? or Disagree?


Dave Rogers

Dave Rogers is a former editorial writer for the Bay City Times and a widely read,
respected journalist/writer in and around Bay City.
(Contact Dave Via Email at carraroe@aol.com)

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