By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
Shawn Clark Jr, 23, has been charged with the September murder of his Grandmother, Donna Mae Croft, who was reported missing by family.
After an extensive investigation, Croft’s body was found in the Meredith area.
The Clare County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation September 3rd into a “suspicious death” near the 10,000 block of East Forrest Road in Franklin Township, an October 4 article in the Review said.
What was not released were any details about the case: whether the deceased was a man or woman, when the body was found, if it was inside a home or outside, or the manner of the death.
An update from the Sheriff’s Office this week said, “Clare County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to an address on E. Forest Road for a missing person. Investigator’s learned the 73-year-old Donna Mae Croff had not been seen in approximately two weeks. Donna’s family had been receiving text messages from her phone,” the update said,” but no one had seen or spoken to her in person.”
Investigators learned that her grandson, Shawn Eugene Clark Jr, 23, who was on a GPS tether parole, was living at Donna’s home before and during her disappearance.
Detectives also found that “Shawn was in possession of Donna’s phone during the time she was missing, along with two of her credit cards.”
After a search warrant for the home and property was obtained, “detectives found a burn site on the property where some human remains were found.”
The Michigan State Police Grayling Crime Laboratory were called to the home to assist.
Detectives, working with the Michigan Department of Corrections, obtained a tracking log of Shawn’s GPS tether travel history, which led them to the Meredith area where Donna Croft’s remains were located.
Because Shawn was on parole for unrelated crimes, a detainer was placed on him and he was taken into custody. While he was lodged at the Clare County Jail, a parole violation hearing was held and it was determined that Shawn was going to be sent back to prison.
The determination allowed Detectives to investigate the crime further interview all witnesses and conduct further search warrants.
Monday, November 4th, Shaw was charged with Open Murder; Mutilation of a Human Body; Financial Transaction Device Theft; and as a Habitual Offender. He was arraigned in 80th District Court November 19. His bond was set at Two million dollars.
The release concluded, “To protect the integrity of this case, the Sheriff’s Office will not be releasing any more information at this time.
