Records: Elderly homicide victims had been shot

SIDNEY TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The elderly couple found dead in their home near Sheridan last month had been shot, according to newly released death certificates.

Jessie Seward, 81, suffered a gunshot wound to the head, while his wife, Virginia “Ginny” Seward, 80, was shot multiple times, the death certificates show.

The records don’t say what kind of gun was used.

The death certificates also listed the date of the shootings as June 24, two days before their bodies were discovered. A stepdaughter who lives across the street from the couple has told Target 8 she didn’t hear any shots.

Relatives said the two were supposed to attend a 4-H horse show for a granddaughter the next day. After they failed to show up, a relative went to check on them the next morning, June 26, and discovered their bodies .

Neighbors say Michigan State Police divers searched a pond behind the victims’ home last week. State police won’t say what they were looking for or what, if anything, they found.

“Any time that we have a case that’s this significant, we do try to look for every avenue possible to solve this crime,” MSP Lt. Michelle Robinson said on Thursday.

According to their obituaries, the Sewards were married nearly 28 years and were great-great-grandparents.

Jessie Seward had served in the US Air Force and was working a “retirement job” at Stanton Hardware. Ginny Seward also worked at the hardware store and at the Sheridan Village Market.

The stepdaughter, Deborah Soule, who lives across the street, has said they had no known enemies and little money.

“Good people,” Soule previously told News 8. “Loved their family beyond measure; would help anybody, even a stranger if they asked for it. We’re just at a loss as to why anybody would hurt them.”

State police won’t say whether they believe the victims were targeted, but say there is no known active threat in the community.

“Until we can identify exactly who was responsible for this crime, we do ask individuals to be alert,” Robinson said. “If they see something, say something.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Michigan State Police Lakeview Post at 989.352.8444 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345. Silent Observer reminded people that those providing information that leads to a break in the case could be eligible for a reward.

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