By: Brian Wells | Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider | Published November 15, 2022
ROSEVILLE — A man who was originally facing felony charges related to a body found in the bed of a pickup truck that he was driving at the time of a crash Oct. 27 is now facing a felony murder charge.
Macomb County Prosecuting Attorney Peter J. Lucido announced the murder charge against Stephen Freeman, 19, of Lexington, Nov. 15. Freeman is accused of murdering 62-year-old Gabriele Seitz, whose body was discovered in the bed of the pickup truck.
At approximately 12:15 p.m. Oct. 27, Roseville police officers were dispatched to the area of Common and Hayes for a report of a traffic crash. When they arrived, officers learned that the driver of one of the vehicles, a pickup truck, had fled the scene, according to a press release from the Roseville Police Department.
While officers were investigating, they located a deceased person — later identified as Seitz — in the bed of the truck that police said Freeman was operating.
Freeman fled the scene on foot, according to Roseville police, but Roseville officers arrested Freeman Oct. 30, according to records from the Macomb County Jail.
Judge Alyia Hakim, of the 39th District Court, arraigned Freeman earlier this month on charges of concealing the death of an individual and receiving and concealing a stolen motor vehicle. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the pickup truck belonged to Seitz.
“Since the incident, Roseville Police Department, together with Michigan State Police (MSP) have been working hard investigating and collecting evidence regarding the death of the victim,” the Nov. 15 press release states. “This resulted in a warrant request to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s (Office’s) Major Crimes Unit.”
Judge Kathleen Tocco, of the 39th District Court, arraigned Freeman on the murder charge Nov. 15.
According to Lucido, evidence gathered at Seitz’s residence indicated that Freeman had entered the residence without permission through a window.
“When the victim arrived home an altercation ensued resulting in Gabriele Seitz’s death,” the Nov. 15 press release states.
Security cameras facing Seitz’s house showed Freeman moving the body in a sheet to Seitz’s truck, which Freeman was driving at the time of the crash, Lucido said.
Lucido said it is believed this was a random killing, as nobody has made any statements or given any information connecting Freeman and Seitz.
Freeman is scheduled for a probable cause hearing at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 30 in front of 39th District Court Judge Joseph Boedeker. Freeman continues to be held in the Macomb County Jail. Originally he had a $75,000 cash or surety bond, which was revoked when the murder charge was added.
“The additional charges for the victim’s death will provide justice to the family and keep our community safer,” Lucido stated in the press release.
Roseville Chief of Police Ryan Monroe said it was unclear why Freeman allegedly decided to move the body, but it might have been an attempt to cover up the incident.
Freeman’s attorney, Gary Kennedy, could not be reached for comment.
Contact Staff Writer Brian Wells at (248) 291-7637 or bwells@candgnews.com.