Michigan Homicide Suspect Located in West Virgina

MONROE. The U.S. Marshals Service and West Virginia’s Tyler County
Sheriff’s Department have confirmed that homicide suspect Thomas Jack
Fritz has been located and is deceased. Fritz, 38, of Sylvania, Ohio, is a suspect in a double homicide that occurred in Blissfield on July 13, 2012, at
approximately 11:40 p.m.

While assisting with this investigation, agents from the U.S. Marshals
Service responded to a location in Tyler County, West Virgina. Upon arrival, the suspect was observed running into cottage. A single gunshot was heard moments later from within that structure. A local SWAT team was activated to assist. SWAT team members later made entry and located Fritz deceased inside.

A three-count felony warrant had been authorized by the Lenawee County
Prosecutor’s Office for his arrest, including two counts of open murder
and one count of assault with intent to commit murder. Police
identified Fritz’s victims as Amy Lynn Merrill, 33, former girlfriend of
Fritz; Lisa Michelle Gritzmaker, 24, pregnant sister of Merrill; and
Robin Lynn McCowan, 52, mother of Merrill and Gritzmaker, who received
non-fatal injuries and remains hospitalized.

The Michigan State Police would like to thank the public for tips
provided and the following agencies for their diligent efforts on this
investigation: Blissfield Police Department, Lenawee County Sheriff’s
Department, Michigan State Police Northville Laboratory, U.S. Marshals
Service, Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office, Michigan State Police
Fugitive Team and West Virginia’s Tyler County Sheriff’s Department.