Woman, 55, found dead in Muskegon home

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) - A 55-year-old woman was found dead in a Muskegon home early Wednesday morning, a death investigators call suspicious.

Police and medical personnel were called to the home in the 2100 block of Letart Avenue around 4 a.m. for a report of a woman not breathing. When they arrived, they found the 55-year-old dead and the home where she was found "in disarray."

A man was taken to jail on domestic violence charges in connection with the incident, but investigators are not saying what they believe the man did. 24 Hour News 8 is not releasing his name because he has not been formally charged, but did conduct a Michigan State Police criminal background check on the man. It did not reveal prior charges of  violence, domestic or otherwise.

"It's really hard," neighbor Dianne Rebedew said. "I looked out the driveway today, saw her car, his van."

Rebedew says she expected to spend New Year's Eve with the 55-year-old and her boyfriend, who Rebedew says lived in the home.

She describes the 55-year-old victim as "good-hearted" and "beautiful."

"When I had lost my job, she was very generous," Rebedew said, remembering that the 55-year-old had given her $100. " 'If you can pay me back, you can, if you can't, I understand,' " Rebedew recalled the woman saying.

An autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Muksegon Police Lt. Dennis Lord said he expected more information to be released Friday.

Rebedew says every New Year's Eve will serve as a reminder not just of the tragedy, but of the good times as well.

"That's what I care to think about right now," she said.