On December 2, 1988, a brutal atrocity shook the small community of Three Rivers, Michigan — a murder so savage, it transcended a simple crime scene: 19-year-old Cathy Sue Swartz was found beaten, strangled, sexually assaulted, and stabbed multiple times. Her neighbor, 24-year-old Christina Y Shelton, died under suspicious circumstances less than a day later. For decades, the case more info remained one of the most haunting unsolved mysteries in Michigan: a true murder mystery shrouded in alleged police corruption and police cover-up.
The Facts: What We Know
- On December 2, 1988, Cathy Sue Swartz’s apartment was found with her baby asleep in the next room, unharmed. Cathy’s body showed signs of a violent struggle. ([theaegisalliance.com](https://theaegisalliance.com/2023/09/19/who-are-the-true-killers-in-the-1988-murders-of-cathy-sue-swartz-and-christina-y-shelton-in-three-rivers-michigan/))
- No forced entry was found, suggesting the killer may have been known to Cathy.
- Blood evidence, footprints, and fingerprints were collected, but never matched.
- On the same day, neighbor Christina Y Shelton died in a car accident under suspicious circumstances.
Rumors, Allegations & Suspicions: Police Corruption and a Possible Cover-up
The 2023 article sheds light on the alleged involvement of two officers and the wrongful accusation of Robert Odell Waters.
The Police Officers Under Suspicion
- Michael Mohney allegedly assaulted a 12-year-old before the Swartz murder and may have been involved in the killings.
- Michael Costello is alleged to have been involved in the car accident that killed Shelton.
- Waters was arrested decades later but died in custody under suspicious circumstances.
Why This Is a Classic Cold Case
The case embodies several broader themes: cold case files, unsolved mysteries, true crime stories, and crime documentary-style investigative reporting.
What Remains Unknown
- Modern forensic tests on the blood, fingerprints, and footprints.
- The real killer if not Waters, Mohney, or Costello.
- Reasons for lack of transparency and possible institutional failures.
Conclusion
The 1988 murders of Cathy Sue Swartz and Christina Y Shelton remain haunting unsolved mysteries. Through investigative efforts, these cases may finally see justice. Articles like this act as modern crime documentaries, exposing alleged corruption and calling for accountability.