Are murders of Michael Greenes linked?

MONTCALM COUNTY, Mich. (WOOD) - Michael Greene.

That is the name of two of the victims in four murders that have happened in the last 12 months. Both men and their wives were killed in their homes.

One of those cases -- that of Michael and Kathleen Greene of Pierson -- has frustrated Montcalm County detectives for more than a year.

Now, police are wondering if a recent murder in Eaton County could produce clues that will help finally find the killer.

Michael and Kathleen Greene were found by firefighters after flames swept through their Big Whitefish Lake home in October of 2010. Both had been stabbed and killed before the fire was set.

Michael Greene, a retired executive, was 59 at the time of his death. His wife Kathleen was 56.

In September, a similar case arose in Eaton County.

According to a news release from the Eaton County Sheriff's Department on Sept. 22, Michael and Terri Greene were found dead by a relative, who then called the police.

Michael Greene, 62, was found inside the home. His wife Terri, 46, was found in a pond behind the house. Greene was a retired MSP officer, according to his obituary.

Police now want to know if the suspects' shared names and the murder of their wives is where the similarities end -- or if there's something more.

Montcalm County Sheriff Bill Barnwell said that he plans to meet with Eaton County detectives to compare notes on the murders.

"The first thing that comes to people's minds is, 'Oh, is there a pattern here? Is there a mistaken identity? ... What's going on? Do we have someone going around killing Michael Greenes?' ... We don't believe so based on our preliminary information, but nevertheless, we are going to err on the side of caution," said Barnwell.

Barnwell said that this lead is being treated the same way as the hundreds of tips that have come to his office about the murders of Michael and Kathleen Greene.

None of those leads have led to the identification of a suspect or arrest.