I apologize again to people with questions unanswered from me and for posts I have promised but not yet delivered. I haven’t forgotten; I have many notes and lists. I have put a priority on forwarding requests to my Dad for DVDs people requested. And again, if you can’t cover the $20, let me know and I will take care of it. If you have asked me to get you a DVD and have not yet received it, contact me again here and please start your post with DO NOT PUBLISH. I think I have passed on all requests.
I am working on the photos of the Chris Busch “suicide” scene. There are redacted versions and unredacted versions. You need to see both versions, as well as the bullshit letter from the MSP regarding their initial “inability” to locate any of the photos in September 2011. This saga follows in five parts.
First, the MSP FOIA response, provided after my Dad had to sue them (and therefore as part of a court filing), contained NO photos of the Busch “suicide.” “That’s funny,” said Erica McAvoy, Kristine Mihelich’s sister—I SAW the photos when my Mom and I met with Det/Sgt Garry Gray of the MSP in mid-October 2009.
Second, Erica McAvoy filed a FOIA request with the MSP for these very photos. On September 15, 2011, the MSP responded that “[a]fter a thorough search of our department for photographs related to [Busch, Christopher Brian], we have determined that photos do not exist within this department.”
Third, Erica told the MSP they most certainly did have these photographs; that she had seen and touched copies of them during the “Come to Jesus” session with Gray.
Fourth, “Oh shit, I guess we do have some photos—here you go, here are redacted copies.” Yes, portions of Busch’s body are blacked out. The photo of Tim dumped in a ditch in front of a Livonia home contains no “redactions.” And he, unlike Mr. Busch, is not tucked in bed with nary a sign of mayhem except for a small bullet wound. Think Tim was posed like a little angel with his skateboard under his arm? Think again.
Fifth—when M. William Phelps from Investigative Discovery’s Dark Minds series (and a prolific true crime author) produced a one-hour show on the OCCK murders that aired in August 2012, he remarked to my family that he had NEVER seen photos in response to a FOIA request, or photos in a suicide investigation, redacted. Never. We ultimately get unredacted photos—I think courtesy of Erica McAvoy. I need to consult my notes. You will find them fascinating. They are not gory. There is no blood spatter. Mr. Busch is tucked in tight under the covers. For a suicide, especially one pulled off by someone who had a very high BAC, this was very clean. How someone who is fucked up manages to shoot himself right between the eyes with a shotgun, getting no gunshot residue on his hands, with his legs and feet wrapped tight in the covers, is anyone’s guess. Just lucky, I guess. For as long as he was dead before he was found, he is in pretty good condition. Far better condition than any of the four known victims of the OCCK, even though they were found within hours of their suffocation/shooting.
Remember when I said there is Karma when it comes to some of this stuff? Turns out Erica McAvoy is quite familiar with firearms. I LOVE IT when cops underestimate civilians. (In fact, I love it when people underestimate anyone.) She asked Gray where Busch shot himself. The answer: “Right between the eyes.” Erica grabbed the notebook with the photos as Gray was attempting to cover it with his hand and said, “there is no way this was a suicide.”
When you see the photos, you will know what she means. And don’t be too hard on me for delaying many posts I have promised. It means I have, despite what happened to my family in March 1977, a very full life. I have many people in my life who deserve my full attention and I get to this stuff when I can. It almost pulled me under in 1977 and again in 2006. Those who should feel bad about this case do not and have not for close to four decades; I’m not going to suffer any further because of their actions or inaction, or the inaction and obstruction of current law enforcement that subscribe to some sick code to protect their predecessors. In 2006 I would have responded within hours. Now I know that I can only do it when I can.
Every thought you have when you read my blog I have had a thousand times over. Doesn’t mean I don’t respect you when you raise these issues; it just means I have learned to pace myself. Don’t stop emailing me or responding to my blog posts. Just know that no one in authority is in any hurry to deal with any of this shit—in fact, they are hoping they never will have to. Like I’ve said a few times; I’m a patient person. If, with my sporadic and sometimes cryptic posts, you learn that some factions of humanity and law enforcement are utterly corrupt, even in cases where you would swear on your Mother’s grave it can’t be so, then none of us are wasting our time. Eyes wide open. It’s all we have to prevent future trauma, or at least recognize this bullshit before 30-plus years pass. Again, if it happened to us, it can happen to you. You need to know that much.
POST (OR NOT) AT YOUR DISCRETION
I’m glad you posted this. I’ve been wondering how your family is doing and whether you’ve experienced any of the backlash, or posturing, from the media or Oakland County officials you were bracing for once the DVD was released. From what I’ve seen, the media coverage seemed positive. Anything to report on the other?
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Actually, BTM, some very positive feedback. I have one letter I have permission to post; the rest I will have to summarize. I don’t have permission to post the other letters and I know how very, very vindictive officials and LE in Oakland County can be. Not about to jeopardize them, but what these folks have said I have heard before the DVD was released. Sad and sick. I know the possibility of repercussions is real.
Thank you, Cathy. I know I Comment a lot but I am just wired about this case and what LE has not done over the years.
Again, I say to everyone, take a look at the Affidavit signed by Gray. It accompanies the DVD. In the paragraphs discussing the kidnapping and recovery of Mark Stebbins it says SPERM WAS LOCATED IN SEVERAL ORIFICES OF THE BODY.
Remember back in the day when media kept saying no physical eveidence was ever found? That they were found in a pristinely washed condition? WELL WHAT ABOUT IT? Are there PI’s working on this? Are you checking it out?
I’d be skeptical of all of them.
The shotgun disappears in photo 1 and appears in photo 3 on a local media site. His lil blankey is spotted with canine (were there little white hares?). Two matching coffee mugs and four chairs. He used his bedroom for meetings. Lighter in a shotgun casing-smokin’ fags? Christmas trinket in mug? Erasers on desk. Phone Rolodex; no phone. Rocking horse behind? Book, box, or trinket?
Parallelisms on ink color. Lots of books. No bookcases. Enough room to move a writing table under a framed print, but stereo fits there much better. Matching sheets/bedspread-still some odd gold thing seen on body of deceased between doggie cover and deceased.
Exit through gayrage. Casement window left unlocked. Vodka bottle? Really? Was it kept in the lazy susan or did someone trudge through the house from the wet bar just to get ice? It would have melted anyway.
Every good story needs a mystery letter.
So, it’s off the Ohio with the Gremlin. Please, Please, Please do not put it in the paper! Napalmed children in Nam.
Poor guy. He felt for children in Nam, but somewhat clueless of the American horrors. More funding will make that better. What happens to people who kill children? Let’s do a study, eh?
The letter writer had 88 keys. Black and white. Somewhat lyrical. Wonder what musicians donated to stop the terror? Did they analyze their lyrics?
Pis working on this? Yes. Just note the truck rout in the letter. The media knew. They chose to keep it to themselves until a better offer came around. If each of them get a key, then they can report on anyone and expect them to report back to them.
This is why Detroit looks like the scene in The Lion King when the hyenas take over.
Perhaps this was fun back then…people begging them for information and there they sat like the cat that swallowed the canary…allowing more and more to be swept under.
Hi Cathy,
Thank you for creating this blog. In 1977 I was eight years old and a resident of Birmingham, Michigan. I never knew Tim, but I have mourned for him and for the other victims of this heinous string of crimes. I will never forget the terror I felt in and after 1977, and I hope this case gets solved. I plan to purchase the DVD.
Today I am a 7th grade teacher in a public school in Massachusetts, and I have two children of my own. Once again, thank you for sharing through this blog. I will read everything you post. I wish I could help solve the case but I can’t, though I will continue to root for you and your family and to hope that one day we will all know the truth.
Sincerely,
Todd
Cathy,
I am also someone who grew up in Birmingham (lived at Maple & Lahser) and attended Westchester elementary. Although I was only 7 at the time, I never forgot your brother’s name over the years. Because I was so young, my parents didn’t share the details of the case and I only recently learned the background on this horrific crime. I live in Illinois now and do not keep up with Michigan news. I am not sure what prompted me to search Tim’s name on the internet, but I was shocked that this case is still ongoing after all this time. It’s absolutely unbelievable that this investigation was such a mess. It’s so sad…I truly hope you and your family receive the resolution you deserve. I’m sure you have received many similar messages. Best wishes to you.
Sara
Thanks, Sara, I really appreciate it. Cathy
My copy of the DVD arrived an hour or so ago. I’ve got disc one in the drive of my laptop and plan to pick away at the whole presentation chapter by chapter, although I have no idea how long that might take.
In the meantime, thank you very much.
Well…so much or pacing myself. I’ve just finished up Disc 1, and while I understand that I should to hold off on any questions which might be answered on Disc 2, I thought I’d at least ask this: In Chapter 11, “Freedom of Information Act Requests”, your father mentions a request that, at the time of the videotaping, had been pending since earlier this year. Just to be sure that I didn’t miss anything (I’m in Florida and have to Google this stuff) is that request still pending?
I will get an update on that particular FOIA request, Andrew.
See next post with letter from OCP dated 10/10/13.
I stumbled upon your blog today. I have been aware of your brothers murder since I was a young man growing up in Livonia a few miles from where he was found. Your blog has brought back a flood of memories. I had often wondered what ever happened to the case and if anyone had ever been caught or had that person passed away. The info on the child porn rings and island up by TC just breaks my heart. I hope all of your hard work in memory of your brother one day brings closure.
Thinking of you and yours.
Robert