82-year-old Marjorie Caruthers was a mother and grandmother and a longtime resident of Farmington Hills. She just signed off on the sale of her home on Monday, but Tuesday morning her body was discovered in a pond in her subdivision off Nine Mile Road near Halstead.
"Such a sweet lady. She would do anything for any one of us," said son Brad Caruthers. "It just doesn't make any sense why she'd want to give up on life so soon."
He just saw his mom on Sunday and she seemed happy to be moving to an assisted living facility. She didn't like being alone and was in the process of packing up all of her belongings. She did deeply missed her husband of 50 years. Chuck died in 2004, but Brad never thought his mother would take her own life -- a possibility Farmington Hills police are looking into since there were no obvious signs of foul play.
Farmington Hills police say Marjorie's jacket with her medical I. D. in the pocket was found along the shoreline. Her body was about 20 feet out.
"Why would you get out of the house with just shoes and a coat on over pajamas?" questioned Brad.
Marjorie had been having trouble sleeping and may have been on sleep medication. Could that have played a role in her death? The investigation is ongoing, but for relatives and neighbors who knew and loved her, none of it makes sense. She was active, seemed happy and was supposed to be at a luncheon Tuesday afternoon.
"She was very happy to move into the new place and never expect it," said neighbor Al Granata. "Beautiful lady, beautiful lady."
"I just wish that she could've called and said, 'I'm done.' You know, she could've had help," said Brad.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:57 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:57:29 GMT
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Jurors have gone home without a verdict on the first day of deliberations in the trial of a Detroit police officer charged in the shooting death of a 7-year-old girl.
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:44 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:44:55 GMT
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
It was a day of dramatic testimony in the manslaughter trial of the Detroit cop charged with killing seven-year-old Aiyana Stanley-Jones as Officer Joseph Weekley took the stand in his own defense.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:55:49 GMT
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Testimony got emotional on Monday as the jury heard from Aiyana Jones' grandmother, but the defense questioned whether she has told two different accounts of what happened.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:07 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:07:09 GMT
FBI agents say they have not uncovered any evidence of remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa since they began searching in an Oakland Township field earlier this week.
FBI agents say they have not uncovered any evidence of remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa since they began searching in an Oakland Township field earlier this week.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:52 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:52:00 GMT
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Marjorie Caruthers
