$5,000 reward offered in murder case
Published: Wednesday, June 09, 2010
By Catherine Kavanaugh, Daily Tribune Staff Writer
Tips sought to solve 2008 slaying of Royal Oak hairdresser
Two years ago the sister of Jeremy Brent Waggoner was calling hospitals for John Doe patients and passing out fliers in the neighborhood of the Detroit man who went missing on his day off from Michael Angelo Hair Salon, Royal Oak.
She knew something was wrong when the 37-year-old animal lover disappeared, leaving his rescued dogs in the yard unattended and no note on the counter for his partner of seven years. Her suspicions were confirmed when a Detroit police precinct officer agreed to take a report before the standard 24-hour waiting period.
Waggoner’s body had been found covered with 80 wounds at 9:30 a.m. June 10, 2008, in a field next to an abandoned warehouse on Beaufait Street in Detroit.
His sister, Jennifer, who asked not to be fully identified for security reasons, is marking the second anniversary of losing her brother by offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of the person or persons who beat and stabbed Jeremy Waggoner.
“I’m not letting this go,” Jennifer said. “I’m not going to stop until I have answers.”
Jennifer and friends of her late brother raised money for the reward and to hire a private investigator with a May 4 music benefit at Memphis Smoke and car washes. She is planning a golf outing next and area hairstylists are organizing a cut-a-thon.
“I very much believe this year will be the year something will happen,” Jennifer said. “If the case isn’t solved I think we will be closer than we are.”
The murder is a cold case to Detroit police, who say they have exhausted all leads. Jennifer said a private investigator is looking for new leads and will keep it active.
The last time anyone saw or heard from Jeremy Waggoner was 3 p.m. June 9, 2008. He talked on the phone with a co-worker at the Royal Oak hair salon that has since closed. When his partner returned to their house near Indian Village, he was immediately concerned to find the pets outside and Jeremy Waggoner’s 1997 Mazda gone. Jennifer said her brother led a very “patterned” life and would have put the dogs in the house with a note of his whereabouts if was going anywhere.
Friends and family wonder if Jeremy Waggoner was the victim of a gay hate crime, a carjacking or a robbery. His wallet and car were missing although the vehicle was found in the area four days later.
So many questions remain. So does the hurt for Jennifer, who said her big brother was her best friend.
“I don’t know that time is healing this wound but I feel like we’re in a good place,” Jennifer said. “A lot of people are on board and our vision is to get these people off the streets.”
Anyone with information about the murder of Jeremy Waggoner should call the Justice for Jeremy hotline at (248) 325-TIPS. Caller can remain anonymous. For information about upcoming fundraisers, go to www.justiceforjeremy.com.
Michigan CrimeStoppers also is offering a $2,500 reward.
