Police ID Saline woman found fatally shot in her basement
Jakkar AimeryPolice have identified a 49-year-old Washtenaw County woman who was found dead in her home last week in what investigators called a "domestic related" incident.
Cindy Gochis was found in the basement of her Saline home Friday afternoon after officers responded to the residence for a welfare check to investigate what was described as a missing, endangered person case, said Marlene Radzik, the police chief. Initially, police did not find the victim.
As more details unfolded, officers returned to the residence and found Gochis, who had been shot, Radzik told The News early Wednesday.
According to the investigation, a 55-year-old suspect from Indiana left Gochis' home in her white, 2018 Dodge Journey. He was later located in Indiana with help from police agencies in the state along with its natural resources department, authorities said.
The suspect was hospitalized with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and initially listed in critical condition, according to statement released Saturday. By Wednesday, he was hospitalized in Indiana in stable condition, the police chief said.
Once released, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office was expected to initiate the extradition process for the suspect to face charges on homicide-open murder and felony firearm, Radzik said.
Last week's incident came nearly two months after 40-year-old Amber Jo Thomas of Adrian allegedly was gunned down in the parking lot of a vacant United Auto Workers union hall in Saline by her ex-boyfriend, Barry Garza.
Lenawee County Circuit Court records show Thomas had previously been granted a personal protection order against Garza, but the order was never served until six days after she had died, according to her mother.
Charges against Garza, 58, include open murder and assault with intent to murder.
He is next scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a competency hearing, according to the 14A District Court in Washtenaw County.
jaimery@detroitnews.com