Man arrested in known transient's death

WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) - Wyoming authorities have arrested a man they say is responsible for murdering a known homeless man.

Edward Schmeling, 54, was pronounced dead on the scene near an encampment in a wooded lot off 28th Street on the morning of Wednesday, June 20. Wyoming Police referred to him as a "known transient."

The day after the murder, an autopsy determined he had suffered blunt force trauma.

Tuesday afternoon, Wyoming Police announced they had arrested a 45-year-old man in connection to the murder.

That suspect is Scott Zandbergen, prosecutors confirmed to 24 Hour News 8.

"It's my understanding that both of these individuals were living somewhat of a transient lifestyle. They were known to each other," said Wyoming Police Capt. Kim Koster. "That's really the circumstances we were dealing with at the time. But I don't think it changes how we view a homicide."

Zandbergen was first arrested on the day of the murder on misdemeanor charges of obstructing police and giving them false information. It's not yet clear if those charges are connected to the homicide.

Zandbergen is expected to be arraigned on charges of second-degree murder on Wednesday morning.

With the hustle and bustle of 28th Street, it's difficult see the small encampment in the wooded area, which was likely home three or four men.

Around 9 a.m. Wednesday, people who work in the area said, a man frantically came out of the woods. He was on the phone with 911, saying he had found a man dead. Authorities soon arrived and searched the encampment for clues.

Pools of blood were found near a small shack in the encampment.

Schmeling, who was released from prison last year, had several convictions behind him, including three for malicious destruction of property.