Troopers from the St. Ignace Post are investigating a homicide that occurred in Mackinac County, just north of Hessel.
Troopers were called to the scene late in the evening on 5/25/23 to a report of a disturbance involving a firearm at a residence. Upon arrival, troopers observed a deceased 73-yr-old male subject with an apparent gunshot wound. A short time later a 34-yr-old female subject was located just down the road from the scene and was contacted by troopers. Numerous indicators of this female being involved in the homicide were observed at which time she was taken into custody.
The female is a relative of the deceased victim. Both subjects are from the Hessel and Pickford area. She has been charged with Open Murder and has been arraigned in the 92nd District Court with no bond. She is currently lodged at the Mackinac County Jail.
The name of the arrested suspect is Joelle Chamberlain. The name of the victim is not being released at this time.
Troopers were assisted by the Mackinac County Sheriffs Dept, Sault Tribal Police, Clark Township EMS, and the Michigan State Police Forensic Lab in Grayling.
This investigation was botched from the beginning. The husband of the woman who murdered Ralph Patrick came into the home after the shooting, the same night, through the crime scene tape and ransacked the house of Ralph’s guns and personal papers. This should be investigated by the State Attorney Generals Office.