Couple shot to death in Brohman home

BROHMAN, Mich. (WOOD) - A man and woman were found shot to death inside their Newaygo County home late Thursday afternoon, prompting an investigation into the double homicide.

Joseph Cherneski, 56, and Patricia VanDyk, 55, were found inside their home in Brohman around 4:30 p.m. by a woman who then called police. Authorities said in a release Cherneski and Van Dyk -- who lived together -- were last seen about 24 hours earlier.

Her son, Buddy VanDyk, said, "I had to see it all for myself. Ain't nobody giving me answers, so I got to go in there and try to find my own."

His mother and her boyfriend - known in this area as Tattoo Joe -- were found shot to death in bed by his ex-wife. Relatives said the couple had been together 15 years, and VanDyk was suffering from COPD.

"We don't know if somebody was welcomed into the house or if the door was unlocked," said Newaygo County Undersheriff Brian Boyd.

Neighbors said they didn't hear any gunshots.

"They were good people, and I can't understand why this happened," neighbor Alice Bills said. "It just shocked me so yesterday that I cried all the way back home." She said VanDyk "was a little old woman, real sick, but she would give her shirt off her back to ya if you needed it."

Detectives are trying to determine if the shootings are related to Cherneski's criminal record which dates back to 1975. It includes convictions for drugs and robbery, and the most recent in 2009 for possessing a stolen car.

"We're trying to keep an open mind. There's a lot of scenarios, a lot of rumors that have been circulating, but we're hoping in the next few days we're going to have some answers," Boyd said.

"I'm dumbfounded, I'm lost I'm still in shock. I dont know what to think or what to do," Buddy VanDyk said. "Whoever did this has got to live with themselves for the rest of their life. I hope you rot in hell."

If you have any information, you're asked to contact the Newaygo County Sheriff's Department at 231.689.5288, or Silent Observer at 231.652.1121.