A former member of the Michigan football team, Richard Jekel, was involved in a shooting incident resulting in his death.
The authorities in Grand Rapids, Michigan, are preparing to press charges against a suspect in the homicide of former Michigan football player Richard Jekel, as reported by News 8 (Michigan). This decision follows the arrest of Devon Matthews, 26, in early June, during which he was apprehended for stalking and discovered with a body in his car.
Jekel’s lifeless body was found in the backseat of the vehicle, but prosecutors have yet to disclose a motive for the murder or establish a timeline for his death.
Melissa Jekel, Richard’s daughter, expressed her sentiments, stating, “He killed my dad for no reason. He definitely would’ve killed (his stalking victim) because she was the focus, and then their poor child would grow up without either parent. So, I mean, it sucks, but I just don’t want to be bitter and let it consume me.”
Matthews, who was already out on bond for a prior stalking charge, faced another stalking complaint on June 6. Police discovered him outside the residence of the stalking victim, armed with a gun. Upon attempting to arrest Matthews, authorities found Jekel deceased in the back of the car.
Investigators revealed that the firearm Matthews possessed before his arrest matched the bullet found in Jekel’s body. Jekel’s family asserted that the car Matthews was driving belonged to Jekel, known for providing free rides to locals. They claimed that Matthews intended to use the vehicle in his stalking crime.
Jekel’s daughter emphasized the absence of a discernible motive, stating, “There is no motive. They haven’t been able to make any connection between my dad and Devon at all. … It was just a random wrong place, wrong time. He was trying to get to his stalking victim.”
Richard Jekel had played for former Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler during the 1970s and was a teammate of future LSU coach Les Miles, who had served as the best man at Jekel’s wedding.
