Man arraigned for allegedly murdering mother-in-law in Shelby Township home

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A man has been arraigned for allegedly murdering his mother-in-law in her Shelby Township home Oct. 12.

At approximately 2:47 p.m. Oct. 12, the Shelby Township Police and Fire departments responded to the 14000 block of Stoney Brook Drive West, near 21 Mile and Hayes roads, for a deceased 79-year-old female homeowner whom police identified as Stella Lopiccolo Maltese.

Shelby Township police said in a press release that they thought the death was suspicious and worked throughout the night investigating her death. Police said they obtained search warrants and conducted interviews, which resulted in police arresting Kenneth Michael McDonald, a 41-year-old man. Both Shelby Township police and the Macomb County Jail identify McDonald as being from Macomb Township; the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office said he was from Warren.

McDonald was the son-in-law of the victim, police said, and they arrested him within hours of the victim being discovered. According to a press release from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, McDonald allegedly strangled his mother-in-law in her home.

Judge Douglas Shepherd arraigned McDonald Oct. 16 in 41-A District Court on a charge of second-degree murder. Second-degree murder is punishable by up to life in prison. Shepherd denied bond for McDonald, and he was taken to the Macomb County Jail.

McDonald’s next scheduled court dates are a probable cause hearing, which has been set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 30, and a preliminary exam, which has been set for 3 p.m. Nov. 6, both at the district court.

Marissa Kulcsar, McDonald’s attorney, could not be immediately reached for comment.

“A son-in-law is expected to show respect to his mother-in-law, just as he would to his own mother. We are committed to ensuring justice prevails in this case,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido stated in a press release.

“The Macomb County Prosecutor’s office represents the people. We are committed to achieving justice and following the laws of the State of Michigan. All that are accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” the press release states.

Shelby Township police said the investigation is ongoing and that anyone with information regarding the case should call the department’s detective bureau at (586) 731-2121, ext. 308.