Police questioning people as Paul DeWolf homicide investigation continues
An Ann Arbor police official confirmed investigators questioned multiple people last week about the death of Paul DeWolf but said police don’t believe those people are connected to the homicide.
Paul DeWolf
“Subjects have been arrested on unrelated crimes and questioned, but as of today, the homicide investigation is still ongoing,” he said.
When asked if the people questioned in the case have been ruled out as possible suspects in the 25-year-old University of Michigan medical student’s death, Pfannes said, “We don’t believe at this point they have a connection.”
DeWolf was found dead on July 24 in his home at the Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity, 220 N. Ingalls St. DeWolf died from a single gunshot wound to the neck, and police have said his basement room did not appear out of order, and no valuables appeared stolen.
Ann Arbor and University of Michigan police each have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case. U-M police and the United States Air Force are assisting AAPD with the investigation.
DeWolf was a reservist second lieutenant in the Air Force who was going to enter the service after he graduated from medical school. He was entering his final year at the University of Michigan after graduating from Grand Valley State University in 2010.
Anyone with information in this case is encouraged to call the Ann Arbor police anonymous tip line at 734-794-6939 or Crime Stoppers at -1800-SPEAK UP (773-2587).
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Hi, Hello
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 5:44 p.m.
Kyls, thank you for reporting this, please keep the story alive, keep it at the forefront of everyones mind for two reasons: to find Paul's murderer, and to keep students on their toes always watching their surroundings and to be more cautious.
FormerMichRes
Mon, Aug 19, 2013 : 4:14 a.m.
I agree with several of the other commenters. I'd be interested in knowing why the police wanted to interview the people "arrested on unrelated crimes"... and also what the unrelated crimes were. My concern is that this case goes cold just like the Niswender case because the police don't want to ask certain people some tough questions or delve too deeply into potentially embarrassing territory (lifestyle issues, etc.) With days turning into weeks, and then into months the case will become harder to solve.
Old Salt
Sun, Aug 18, 2013 : 12:05 a.m.
Have they determined the time of death,could there have been others in the home at the time. he was killed??? I am sure the police have iinterviewed all of the member of the Fraternity.. The police have no leads in the death of the EMU student who was murdered either
black_squirrel
Sun, Aug 18, 2013 : 1:10 a.m.
So far the police and medical examiner have not given any timeframe for the time of death. It could be July 23 or the morning of July 24. One friend on an interview with CNN implied that he died on July 24, the day after she spoke to him for the last time. I am not sure whether she misspoke or has more knowledge than we have. According to reports, there were other residents in the house, but none of em heard anything. The police may have leads but they wont necessarily tell us.
anti-thug
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 7:21 p.m.
make you wonder how many unsolved deaths like these are michigan right now, maybe? just use you psychic they can feel thing and all else fails you nothing to lose.
black_squirrel
Sun, Aug 18, 2013 : 10:54 a.m.
You would lose something, namely valuable time.
JRW
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 6:21 p.m.
I would focus the investigation on his patients at this point, both at UM and the VA, if he had patients in both places during his rotations.
black_squirrel
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
As a medical student there are always other more senior physicians who bear the most responsibility and who will perform the most risky procedures. I think patients would be low on the list of suspects. If he had witnessed some malpractice, fraud or plagiarism, this could have been a motive. Still, this is all speculation at this point. I guess the police will have to search in all possible directions, and I bet they will, but it will take some time.
BhavanaJagat
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 2:45 p.m.
If there is a lesson to learn from this crime investigation, it will be that of sharing personal information with trusted friends, or relatives. We demand transparency, and accountability in democratic governance. To the same extent, each person must aim at transparency, and accountability while ruling, or governing his own personal life. If I will be at any place, at a given time, my whereabouts are known to at least one member of my family. People can also make the habit of keeping a log of daily activities; the places they visit, and the people they meet.
BhavanaJagat
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 11:18 p.m.
We are speaking about Ann Arbor, Michigan here. Keeping a diary has become a practice of the past. People can use a calendar and write notes to keep a track of important events. The Police are searching for information and are looking for clues; the best clue would come from the man who lived if he speaks about himself.
a2citizen
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 7:35 p.m.
No need to keep a log of your movements - your cell phone does that for you.
PineyWoodsGuy
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 4:51 p.m.
Are you serious? Like a U.S.Navy ship, we should keep a log of our doings and movements? Would you suggest pen and paper, or do you recommend an iPad with Internet access so that Big Brother can monitor our doings and movements and GPS us. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudra Are we speaking Andra Pradesh here?
Einsteinsoulmate
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 4:45 a.m.
I see he was reporting to the VA Hospital. I would be interested to know if he worked/studied at University of Michigan hospital as well and what department. I believe there may be a connection with something he saw at this hospital. He looks familiar. There are a lot of good dedicated people. doctors at U of M but big money can change things.
Wehrwolf
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 10:41 p.m.
"Big money?" What is that supposed to mean? You do realize that medical students are NOT compensated, except for certain situations, right? Paul would have been paid by the Air Force while in school, but a stipend of around ~$2000 a months is not "big money." Furthermore, physicians at the U, or any academic center, are not paid huge amounts of money when you compare a similar physician who has a private practice. You obviously have no idea what you're talking about if you think there's "big money" in academic medicine.
black_squirrel
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 2 p.m.
As a medical student he went through various rotations, some of them at the U of M hospital.
jns131
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 3:20 a.m.
Why do I get a weird feeling this is going to end up as a cold case file? A lot of time is going to pass before they find his killer or killers. I hate to say it, but this is a hunch I have. The weapon could be at the bottom of Lake Michigan for all we know. Good luck finding the persons of interest but with school coming on I see it being worked on? But only as things come in.
thinker
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 1:31 a.m.
Not sure, annarbor.com, why johnnya2's comment casting aspersions on the dead doctor and whether he deserved the crime was not deleted. I thought part of your policy was that the victim could not be blamed for the accident, death, etc.
EyeHeartA2
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 2:39 a.m.
Probably since his race baiting was fine too. He must have a hall pass or something.
WalkingJoe
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 1:23 a.m.
I'm sorry but I think I have to say this. Not every crime is solved in an hour like it is on television. Not only that on television every crime is solved. That said I believ the police agencies involved know what they are doing and are probably more frustrated than anyone with the possible exception of Paul's family.
Em
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 10:46 p.m.
I wonder if they interviewed any of the patients or patient family members he took care of? People are crazy these days.
black_squirrel
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 9:40 p.m.
Did Paul DeWolf fulfill any special function within the fraternity, such as (vice-)president or recruitment chair? Some person could have been disgruntled over some decision he had to make.
Eduard Copely
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 9:14 p.m.
I agree with Linda that Paul DeWolf probably knew his murderer.
Rod Johnson
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 3:25 a.m.
On what grounds do you base this deduction?
jns131
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 3:21 a.m.
Somehow Mr Green did not do in Mr DeWolf with the candle stick. Although Sherlock might get his or her man. Can't wait to hear the outcome on this one.
UloveM
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 7 p.m.
According to one of his housemate and same year UM medical school student, Paul Dewolf was a very focused medical student, who his knew in Ann Arbor are only the other medical students and the doctors in the hospitals.
johnnya2
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 9:17 p.m.
His facebook page would suggest otherwise.
UloveM
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 7:02 p.m.
According to one of his housemate and the same year UM medical school student, Paul Dewolf was a very focused medical student, who he knew in Ann Arbor are only the other medical students and the doctors in the hospitals
fjord
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 6:38 p.m.
In other words, the police are doing their jobs, and there is nothing new to report.
anti-thug
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 7:17 p.m.
this is a cold case maybe
jns131
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 3:23 a.m.
If they are stating someone was arrested then the killer or killers might slip up. Good deduction Watson...errr Kyle. Good deduction.
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
fjord - This is a case that I get many, many questions about every day. In addition, a report from a different media source came out yesterday stating two people had been arrested in the case. I want to make sure we have the most current and correct information, and also provide the public with updates so people know what's going on with the case to the best of my ability. That's newsworthy, in my opinion, and that's why I wrote the story.
halflight
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 6:31 p.m.
Interesting. The police got a search warrant, which means they proved to a judge or magistrate that there was probable cause to believe there WAS a connection.
matt1027
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 9:46 p.m.
they questioned random criminals because those are the only straws they have to grasp at
Zhuk
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 8:03 p.m.
Yeah, what is the point of including that very confusing statement in the story? "Ann Arbor police Detective Lt. Robert Pfannes said Friday two people were arrested on unrelated warrants last week in Van Buren Township after Ann Arbor officers served a search warrant. "Subjects have been arrested on unrelated crimes and questioned, but as of today, the homicide investigation is still ongoing," he said." Was it included to show that police are still doing their jobs as police or was it included because you decided not to add it to another unrelated article? You could have added it to the article about they man arrested for using a phone and mirror to record the girl in the bathroom... "17 year old arrested. 2 Suspects arrested on unrelated warrants in a completely different location" That would have made the other story more interesting and it would have shown that the police were also doing their job as police (just in a different location)
halflight
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 7:18 p.m.
Thanks for the clarification. Of course, it'd be interesting to know why the police asked these two individuals about the DeWolf murder, but I also understand why the police keep a tight lid on information. Any idea what the alleged unrelated crimes were?
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 6:31 p.m.
halflight - The search warrant was for the unrelated crimes mentioned in the story.
Linda Peck
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 6:19 p.m.
I would interview people who knew this man personally, if it were up to me, no matter who they are or what their position in society.
trespass
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 11:52 a.m.
Why did half the residents of the fraternity move out? Last time I suggested an answer but my comment was censored, so I will just leave you with the question.
trespass
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 11:48 a.m.
@Kyle- Are you so confident in the honesty of the Hospital and Medical School because of how well they handled the child porn case?
a2citizen
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 9:07 a.m.
Johnny, It takes a hardworking, determined and dedicated individual to go through medical school and volunteer for the military. The imaginary victims you describe did not accomplish anything in life and would be a dime a dozen. Mr DeWolf, on the other hand, was a real person whose life was cut short. And since the investigation led to Van Buren Township (for whatever reason), wouldn't it be ironic if one of your imaginary victims was the perp?
EyeHeartA2
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 2:39 a.m.
Yep, I'll call it race baiting. Since I live in this community, this is the only paper I read and JonnyA2 SPECIFICALLY referred to the readers of AA.com, I feel I am on pretty firm ground here.
Loopy
Sat, Aug 17, 2013 : 1:59 a.m.
Actually, if you read the reader comments of any other local paper besides this one, you will see that johnnya2 is right. If a crime victim is a minority, people tend to pile on and blame the victim like you wouldn't believe. You can call it race-baiting if you want - just go to any other news source and you'll see who's doing all the baiting.
EyeHeartA2
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 9:48 p.m.
Nice race baiting there Jonnya2. Wouldn't expect any less from you.
johnnya2
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 9:15 p.m.
@ Linda, Until the pressure from people like you becomes overwhelming and then the police decide they need to "solve" the crime. Then somebody who is not comfortable or appears nervous when talking to police (or might not have the right skin pigmentation or political view) is labelled a suspect and then becomes the chief suspect. Nobody knows if the dead person might have had some history that led to this. People ASSUME he is a great person because he was in the service and studying to be a doctor. If the same crime happened to black high school drop out in Ypsi, the reaction would be totally different from the readers of A2.com.
Linda Peck
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 7:53 p.m.
Kyle, he must have touched many peoples' lives including his fellow medical students, patients, people he socialized with outside of the house he lived in, his teachers, people he did sports activities with, etc. As to the other comment that people should not share information with the police, I don't think that is very helpful to our society in keeping people safe from murderers.
Dipstick
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 6:46 p.m.
And if they are smart they would and have every right to refuse to answer any questions.
Kyle Feldscher
Fri, Aug 16, 2013 : 6:32 p.m.
Linda- I know many people who lived with Paul and knew him have been interviewed by police to this point. I'm sure they are not holding back on who they talk to in this investigation.