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Murder victim found in 1985 identified by Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office

Investigation is ongoing

SUPERIOR TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday, Dec. 15, that they have identified a murder victim found in 1985 as Cheryl Coates.

According to authorities, her body was found buried in a shallow grave near the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Stamford Road in Superior Township. The sheriff’s office believes she was killed between January 1984 and January 1985.

Coates was known to frequent the Southfield and Detroit area.

Using DNA technology, investigators found the name of the victim’s biological mother, who died in the Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks.

“As we went to reach out to mom, we realized she worked at the Pentagon, and on Sept. 11, she was at work, and she lost her life, so one of the last known contacts we had was no longer with us,” Director Derrick Jackson with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office said.

From there, they tracked down the victim’s cousin, who knew right away it was Coates.

“She said you’re talking about my cousin Cheryl, so the pieces started to come together,” Jackson said.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding Coates’ murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 734-973-7711.

“Maybe there are friends out there or family members or just an acquaintance who knows who Cheryl was and has just a little bit of information,” Jackson said.


About the Authors
Dane Kelly headshot

Dane Kelly is an Oreo enthusiast and producer who has spent the last seven years covering Michigan news and stories.

Jacqueline Francis headshot

Jacqueline Francis is an award-winning journalist who joined the WDIV team in September 2022. Prior to Local 4, she reported for the NBC affiliate in West Michigan. When she’s not on the job, Jacqueline enjoys taking advantage of all the wonders Michigan has to offer, from ski trips up north to beach days with her dog, Ace.

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