Justice For Jeremy Waggoner

Family of murdered hairstylist pleading for justice

Tue, 10 Sep 2013 11:59:00 -0400

DETROIT, Mich. (WJBK) -

Posted: Sep 09, 2013 7:45 PM EDT
Updated: Sep 09, 2013 7:45 PM EDT

By myFOXDetroit.com Staff
By Randy Wimbley, Fox 2 News

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $3,500 for information that leads to the arrest of a suspect involved with the 2008 murder of 37-year-old Jeremy Waggoner.

Police say Waggoner’s body was left on the 3,000 block of Beaufait after he was stabbed and beaten to death. His car was found near Warren and St. Clair.

An anonymous tipster told police he spotted Waggoner leaving a bar that night with a man, but Waggoner’s family thinks there’s more to the story.

VIDEO: Jeremy Waggoner’s family and friends speak out

Waggoner’s family and friends say the hairstylist was starting a new job the next morning, and planned to be in bed early. They also say the toxicology report showed no alcohol in his system, so they do not believe he went out that night.

When Waggoner’s partner returned to their home that night, he says he found the front door open, leading family and friends to believe Waggoner was first attacked at home.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SpeakUp (773-2587).

Justice For Jeremy Reward Article on PrideSource.com

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 19:45:00 -0400

Original Justice For Jeremy Reward Article on Pridesource.com >>

Reward offered in Royal Oak murder case

Originally printed 7/8/2010 (Issue 1827 - Between The Lines News)

Justice For Jeremy has announced that they are now offering a cash reward in the amount of $5,000 in exchange for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the murder of Jeremy Brent Waggoner.

Jeremy Brent Waggoner was a well-known hairstylist who worked in Royal Oak and lived in Detroit, Michigan. On June 10, 2008, Jeremy’s body was found in Detroit, brutally beaten and stabbed to death.

To this date, Detroit police have not made an arrest or conviction in this murder.

For this reason, the Justice For Jeremy organization was formed, with the intent to solve this crime through partnering with private investigators and offering a substantial reward for the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Michigan Crimestoppers is also offering a reward of $2500 in this case.

Tips and information should be reported to the Justice For Jeremy hotline at 248-325-TIPS. Phone line is available for calls 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Callers may remain anonymous if they choose.

For more information, visit http://www.JusticeForJeremy.com.

Article published in Oakland Press

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:51:56 -0400

Today, the Oakland Press published the same article that appeared in the Royal Oak Daily Tribune on June 9th, which was prompted by the announcement of our $5000 Reward.

View the article in The Oakland Press >>

Complete text of article is also available in our June 9th blog post, here.

Article in the Royal Oak Daily Tribune

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:42:00 -0400

View Original Article >>

$5,000 reward offered in murder case
Published: Wednesday, June 09, 2010
By Catherine Kavanaugh, Daily Tribune Staff Writer

Tips sought to solve 2008 slaying of Royal Oak hairdresser

Two years ago the sister of Jeremy Brent Waggoner was calling hospitals for John Doe patients and passing out fliers in the neighborhood of the Detroit man who went missing on his day off from Michael Angelo Hair Salon, Royal Oak.

She knew something was wrong when the 37-year-old animal lover disappeared, leaving his rescued dogs in the yard unattended and no note on the counter for his partner of seven years. Her suspicions were confirmed when a Detroit police precinct officer agreed to take a report before the standard 24-hour waiting period.

Waggoner’s body had been found covered with 80 wounds at 9:30 a.m. June 10, 2008, in a field next to an abandoned warehouse on Beaufait Street in Detroit.

His sister, Jennifer, who asked not to be fully identified for security reasons, is marking the second anniversary of losing her brother by offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of the person or persons who beat and stabbed Jeremy Waggoner.

“I’m not letting this go,” Jennifer said. “I’m not going to stop until I have answers.”

Jennifer and friends of her late brother raised money for the reward and to hire a private investigator with a May 4 music benefit at Memphis Smoke and car washes. She is planning a golf outing next and area hairstylists are organizing a cut-a-thon.

“I very much believe this year will be the year something will happen,” Jennifer said. “If the case isn’t solved I think we will be closer than we are.”

The murder is a cold case to Detroit police, who say they have exhausted all leads. Jennifer said a private investigator is looking for new leads and will keep it active.

The last time anyone saw or heard from Jeremy Waggoner was 3 p.m. June 9, 2008. He talked on the phone with a co-worker at the Royal Oak hair salon that has since closed. When his partner returned to their house near Indian Village, he was immediately concerned to find the pets outside and Jeremy Waggoner’s 1997 Mazda gone. Jennifer said her brother led a very “patterned” life and would have put the dogs in the house with a note of his whereabouts if was going anywhere.

Friends and family wonder if Jeremy Waggoner was the victim of a gay hate crime, a carjacking or a robbery. His wallet and car were missing although the vehicle was found in the area four days later.

So many questions remain. So does the hurt for Jennifer, who said her big brother was her best friend.

“I don’t know that time is healing this wound but I feel like we’re in a good place,” Jennifer said. “A lot of people are on board and our vision is to get these people off the streets.”

Anyone with information about the murder of Jeremy Waggoner should call the Justice for Jeremy hotline at (248) 325-TIPS. Caller can remain anonymous. For information about upcoming fundraisers, go to www.justiceforjeremy.com.

Michigan CrimeStoppers also is offering a $2,500 reward.

MEDIA RELEASE: $5000 Reward Offered

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 02:10:00 -0400

The Justice For Jeremy Organization is now offering a $5000 Cash Reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Jeremy Brent Waggoner.

Download Media Release (.pdf) >>

WDIV Channel 4 Detroit Story / Interview

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 01:27:00 -0400

This story aired at 11pm, June 3rd, 2010 on WDIV Channel 4 (NBC) Detroit. Thanks to reporter Katie Doptis for the great interviews, and Karen Drew with the Local 4 Defenders for her great job with this story on WDIV Channel 4 Detroit. Several of Jeremy’s friends and co-workers were interviewed, but only a few clips made it to this final story.

Successful Fundraiser in Ann Arbor

Wed, 26 May 2010 18:50:00 -0400

Despite the bad weather this past Friday and Saturday, our Justice For Jeremy Fundraiser Car Wash managed to exceed its own goal.

From Jeremy’s Sister, Jennifer:

“The Justice for Jeremy Fundraiser Car wash event this weekend in Ann Arbor was a huge success. Thank you to all the helping hands who volunteered their time and dedication to the cause.”

Thank you to all of our volunteers for a job well done. And thank you to everyone who came to have their vehicles washed, regardless of whether they knew of the event ahead of time, or just happened upon the event when they saw our signs at the end of the freeway ramp. And last but not least, thanks to those who stood in the middle of the road to wave people in to have their cars washed. :)

And finally, an extreme THANK YOU goes to Doug and Debra of Total Detail Mobile Car Care of Ypsilanti, Michigan for providing the excellent service behind last weekend’s car wash. That’s right. When we put on a car wash, we don’t just do a standard bucket n’ hose car wash. We seek out the absolute BEST. Call them and tell them we sent you. You’ll get the best car detailing service you’ve ever received. And guess what? They come to YOU. No need to take your car to them.

The Justice For Jeremy Team

Car Wash Fundraiser May 21-23, Ann Arbor

Sun, 16 May 2010 01:56:15 -0400

Justice For Jeremy Car Wash Fundraiser coming up in Ann Arbor on May 21, 22 and 23rd. Check out all the details here:

http://justiceforjeremy.com/events/052110_AnnArbor.php

Volunteers needed!

Thank you to the performers from May 4th!

Mon, 10 May 2010 02:36:00 -0400

We’d like to say thank you to everyone who performed at the May 4th Justice For Jeremy fundraiser in Royal Oak - Frank Turner of The Trouble With Turner, Mike Vial, Vince Smith, Dusty Rhodes, Melik and Mikal.

Les Zaldor shot some video at the Fundraiser. Les posted this video of a performance by Vince Smith, one of the many artists who volunteered to perform at the event.

There are many more people for us to thank. We will thank them in an upcoming blog post.

In the meantime, we’re getting ready for the May 21-23 Car Wash Fundraiser in Ann Arbor.

The Justice For Jeremy Team

Statement about last night's fundraiser

Wed, 05 May 2010 18:03:37 -0400

From Jeremy’s sister:

“Thank you just doesn’t seem to be enough. Tonight was an extraordinary night at the fundraiser event at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak, Michigan in honor of my brother, Jeremy B. Waggoner. I continue everyday to be amazed at the love and generosity of those who’s life he touched with his beautiful smile, contagious laugh and vibrant spirit. I love you Jeremy. I hope we made you proud. Love, your Sissy.”

WXYZ Detroit Promoting Fundraiser

Mon, 03 May 2010 10:50:00 -0400

Thank you to Alicia Smith and WXYZ Channel 7 Detroit for running promos in each news cast today for tomorrow's fundraiser at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak. We were supposed to do an interview with them as well, but our schedules conflicted.

Oakland Press - Justice For Jeremy Fundraiser

Sun, 02 May 2010 15:36:00 -0400

Thanks to Katie Bontinen for the mention of this Tuesday’s fundraiser in Royal Oak.

Around Oakland / Justice For Jeremy Fundraiser Tuesday >>

J4J Fundraiser article posted on Pride Source

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:32:00 -0400

Thank you to PrideSource.com for the article on Justice For Jeremy and our May 4th Royal Oak fundraiser today. Check it out.

Read The PrideSource Article >>

MSNBC - Sister Raising Money To Solve Slaying

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 17:53:14 -0400

MSNBC has picked up the story on Justice For Jeremy and the May 4th fundraiser from WDIV in Detroit.

MSNBC Article >>

Detroit Free Press - May 4 Fundraiser

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:30:00 -0400

Thank you to the Detroit Free Press and Bill Laitner for promoting the May 4th Justice For Jeremy Fundraiser at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak!

Detroit Free Press article >>

Television Interview - WDIV Detroit 4

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 14:31:00 -0400

A huge thank you to reporter Bisi Onile-Ere, Matt the camera man and WDIV Detroit Channel 4 News for the excellent interview they conducted with us last night. We spent about an hour speaking with them. The interview, story and May 4 fundraiser promo aired on the 11 o'clock news.

Article in the Daily Tribune newspaper

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 14:21:00 -0400

Thanks to Catherine Kavanough and The Daily Tribune for spending their time interviewing us and writing an article on the Justice For Jeremy organization and the upcoming May 4th fundraiser in Royal Oak. The article contains some comments from Michael Martel, the Detroit police officer who was assigned to Jeremy Waggoner’s case. We will soon post our comments on his statements that were included in the article, as many of them are contrary to the information that we have received from them.

Article:
Sister raising money to solve murder of Royal Oak hair stylist

Published: Friday, April 30, 2010
By Catherine Kavanaugh,Daily Tribune Staff Writer

Benefits planned for reward, private investigator in 2008 Detroit killing

ROYAL OAK – Slain hair stylist Jeremy Waggoner was an animal lover who rescued homeless dogs and a Detroiter at heart who lived in a charming old house just east of Indian Village with his partner of seven years.

He had the day off work from Michael Angelo Hair Salon, 108 S. Main St., on June 9, 2008 – the last day he was seen alive. The 37-year-old man described by many as a gentle soul suffered a violent death some time after a 3 p.m. phone conversation with a coworker.

Brutally beaten and stabbed, Waggoner’s body was found about 9:30 a.m. June 10, 2008, in a field next to an abandoned warehouse on Beaufait Street in Detroit. His wallet was gone and his 1997 Mazda was missing but found a couple days later.

As the two-year anniversary of the murder nears, the case remains unsolved. Was Waggoner the victim of a gay hate crime or a robbery and carjacking? Was it a case of mistaken identity? Did the crime happen in the field or was his body dumped there?

His sister, Jennifer, knows just one thing: Whoever killed her brother hasn’t been held accountable. To raise awareness about the crime, and money for a reward and private investigator, she and family friends are planning a May 4 fundraiser at

Memphis Smoke, Royal Oak.

The benefit, called Justice for Jeremy, will be a night of live music, games and a silent auction. It will be followed by a May 21 car wash in Ann Arbor.

“A murder or murderers are still on the street,” Jennifer said. “Somebody knows something.”

The murder is a cold case to Detroit police, who exhausted all their leads about who inflicted 80 wounds on Jeremy Waggoner.

“It was a brutal assault,” Sgt. Michael Martel said. “We have done everything we can. I won’t turn down any help if the family hires an investigator. I just hate to see it come out of their pocket.”

Martel said several people told investigators they saw Jeremy Waggoner leave a Hamtramck bar called Mephisto with a man the night of June 9, 2008.

“Multiple people saw him at the same bar leave with a man but no one came forward to identify the last person he was seen with,” Martel said.

If anyone comes forward with information, the detective would like to know the man’s name.

“We have some DNA evidence but this isn’t like CSI where I send it to a lab, have a cup of coffee and find out who did it,” Martel said.

Jennifer doesn’t give credence to reports her brother was last seen at a bar. She said he was about to start a second job the next day and wouldn’t have gone out that night.

“A toxicology report verified he hadn’t been drinking and he was drug-free,” she said.

Jeremy Waggoner lived what she called “a very patterned life.” As soon as his partner arrived home June 10, 2008, he knew something was wrong. Their dogs were in the yard unattended and no note was on the counter about where he went.

“Right away we were concerned,” Jennifer said.

That night she called hospitals to see if they admitted any John Doe patients. She tried to make a police report but was told it was too early. She made missing person fliers instead.

At 10 a.m. Tuesday she began passing out the missing person fliers with Jeremy’s partner, Robert Cafagna. They also went to Detroit police precincts begging to file a report before the standard 24-hour waiting period.

“At 5 p.m. Tuesday I was standing in line and a police officer took pity on me,” Jennifer said. “She listened to our story and pushed to have the report filed.”

The officer made a phone call and told them they would be taken to another station for follow-up questions.

“I knew in my heart he was gone,” Jennifer said. “They could have asked more questions there. We were taken to the homicide unit so I could identify Jeremy’s body.”

Jennifer lost her best friend.

“He was the one person in my life who gave me strength, who had my back,” she said. “He had a contagious smile and he was well-loved by clients who went to him for 14 years.”

Jeremy Waggoner enjoyed gardening, took in stray cats and dogs, and he had birds, fish and turtles.

“He was magical with animals,” his sister said. “He wanted to start an animal rescue up north for horses.”

The last 22 months have been painful and frustrating for his family and friends. They feel compelled to do something to help solve the case. They contacted America’s Most Wanted and will raise money for a private investigator and her own reward.

“We want this person – or these people – off the streets so no one else gets hurt,” said Mikal, a musician who will play at the May 4 benefit with Mike Vial, The Trouble with Turner, and others.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at Memphis Smoke, 100 S. Main St. No admission will be charged but a donation will be requested. Justice For Jeremy is also seeking silent auction items. For more information, go to www.justiceforjeremy.com.

To leave anonymous information about the murder, call (248) 325-TIPS.

Fundraiser in Royal Oak, May 4th

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 03:38:57 -0400

The Justice For Jeremy organization will be holding a fundraiser on May 4th at Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak. The night will feature live music, games, contests, food, drinks and more. Check the event page for full details. Volunteers needed!

Car Wash Fundraiser in Ann Arbor, May 21-23

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 03:43:00 -0400

The Justice For Jeremy organization will be holding a 3 day long Car Wash as a fundraising event, May 21-23 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Check the event page for full details. Volunteers needed!

Welcome to the new JusticeForJeremy.com

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 03:33:00 -0400

Welcome to the new online headquarters of The Justice For Jeremy organization, focused on solving the murder of Jeremy Brent Waggoner. Please let us know if you find that there is anything missing that might help us to further our cause.