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Press Release - January 16, 2018 - Rockwood Man Charged with Concealing the Death of an Individual
Rockwood Man Charged with Concealing the Death of an Individual
Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Jeffrey Michael Thomas, 50 (DOB: 08/11/1967), of Rockwood, in connection with having the dead body of his girlfriend, Jennifer Ann Butkowski, 32, also of Rockwood, in his home and not reporting it to the authorities.
On January 14, 2018 at 12:18 a.m., a Rockwood police officer was dispatched to Thomas's home in the 22000 block of Candace Drive to investigate suspicious activity. When the officer arrived, the defendant was observed to be disoriented with possible injuries on his body. During an investigation of the defendant's home, a foul odor was noticed coming from a bedroom. When the officer entered the bedroom, the windows were open and he discovered the lifeless body of a woman in a bed, wrapped in a sheet and plastic. The woman was later identified as Ms. Butkowski. The defendant was placed under arrest at the scene and transported to a local hospital.
Thomas has been charged with Concealing the Death of an Individual, a felony with a five year maximum penalty*. He was arraigned this afternoon in 33rd District Court. The probable cause conference is scheduled for January 30, 2018 at 8:30 a.m.; the preliminary examination is scheduled for February 6, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. Both hearings are before Judge James Kersten in 33rd District Court.
The homicide investigation by the Rockwood Police Department is ongoing.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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