Michigan's cold case units are dusting off the files of a decades-old murder that gripped the residents of Albion. In a renewed push for justice, the Albion Department of Public Safety, in partnership with The University of Olivet's Criminal Justice Program, has reopened the 1988 homicide case of Henry Lawler Jr., as reported by CBS Detroit.
Lawler, who was found behind the Paramount Lounge at 612 Austin Ave., succumbed to fatal stab wounds on a cold December night in 1988. According to a statement obtained by WOOD, the years that followed saw the investigation smolder with "very little information" on a suspect, leaving the case unresolved and a family yearning for closure.
In a bid to finally solve the tragic mystery, detectives are not only retracing old leads but also reaching out to the public for help. Offering a cash reward for information that results in an arrest, the ADPS emphasized the value of any detail from the era, however insignificant it may seem. "Any information you might have from that time could prove valuable in solving this case and bringing closure to the family," said the Albion Department of Public Safety in a Facebook post, as reported by MLive.
Residents with a recollection of the events surrounding the cold December night where Henry Lawler Jr. met his untimely fate, or who possess any pertinent information, are being urged to contact the ADPS. Detective Bill Lazarus and Lieutenant Nicole Wygant are the officers assigned, keenly waiting for any scraps of memory that could serve up the justice long overdue. Anonymous reports can also be filed using Silent Observer, ensuring confidentiality for those who step forward.
