Jude Walton: Man charged with murder over ex- commissioner's death in Michigan
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion is advised.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN: Two days after Ann Arbor former oversight commissioner and local activist Jude Walton was found dead in her Michigan home, a man has been arrested in connection to her death. The 51-year-old who previously worked for the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission died on Thursday, April 13.
Ann Arbor police found the woman's body inside her home when they responded to a wellness check at around 1.30 pm. The investigators launched a homicide investigation following Walton's death in her residence in the 200 block of Chapin Street, according to ABC affiliate WXYZ.
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What are the charges against the man arrested?
The suspect whose name has not been revealed is an Ann Arbor native. The 54-year-old man remains in custody awaiting to be arraigned on multiple charges. He is scheduled to appear for his arraignment at the 15th District Court, Ann Arbor on Sunday, April 16 on charges including criminal sexual conduct- assault with intent to commit sexual penetration charges, home invasion first-degree, and murder.
According to a police news release, "Once officers arrived and entered the home, they discovered the body of a 51-year-old Ann Arbor woman," according to a police news release. The authorities also found a rear door that appeared damaged, which indicated a possible break-in at her Ann Arbor home.
"There were obvious signs that this was a homicide," and there are "obvious signs of trauma on her body," stated Aimee Metzer, Interim Police Chief said. Ann Arbor police have not released any additional information regarding the homicide probe.
Tributes pour in for beloved former commissioner
Walton was a local activist who worked as the director of the employee experience at Avalon Housing. Following her death, Avalon Housing released a statement on Facebook saying It's impossible to imagine Avalon without her. We are grieving this unreal loss," and described her as someone who was "incredibly thoughtful, kind, funny, talented, smart, self-effacing, and wise."
Since the inception of the Independent Community Oversight Commission in 2018, Walton was part of it as a commissioner until 2022. "We are extremely saddened to hear of her death and we lift her family and friends up in prayer at this terrible time," the commission said in a statement. According to the Independent Community Oversight Commission's website, the commission is "an investment in the smart, equitable, community-oriented policing that the Ann Arbor Police Department strives for and that our community deserves," and "was established as a step in reframing the relationship that the residents of Ann Arbor have with the police."
