In late summer 2014, 77-year-old William Whitelaw of the Knollwood Pointe Condos in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, was found dead in his Maple Hills Drive condominium on September 4. His son discovered the body; the Oakland County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death blunt force trauma to the head. Investigators found no sign of forced entry and discovered lit candles placed near a tampered gas line, an apparent attempt to stage a fire or explosion to conceal the killing.

Suspicion focused on a local handyman, 45-year-old Bart Mitchell Spencer, who had done work for Whitelaw and other residents. Police recovered Whitelaw’s belongings — including watches, a handgun, and a baseball — that had been pawned or were found at Spencer’s home in Wayne, Michigan. Two other people were briefly held as persons of interest but released as the case developed.

Spencer was arrested and charged with open murder, arson, multiple counts of larceny, and firearm offenses. During sentencing, the victim was remembered as a well-liked condominium association president who had trusted the person accused.