I've been meaning to tell you about this. Haven't had time.

This is a town of between 5,000-6,000 people. I no longer live there, but work there...for the employer mentioned in the article.

No, I didn't know any of the people. My employer has 6 plants in the town. He worked at a warehouse that has some packaging lines in it as well. I've work in 3 different plants but have never crossed paths with the people. There are 3,000 employees throughtout the company.

It is so sad how many families and children were affected, at christmas time, no less.

2 more charged in Allegan murder

Posted: Dec 11, 2007 11:51 AM EST

Updated: Dec 12, 2007 11:51 AM EST

Scott Lathrop


Lori Lathrop


Kristofer Thompson


Dena Thompson

ALLEGAN -- Police say a family affair led to the murder of Troy Tyo of Allegan.

Troy Tyo

funeral

information

Two more people are facing charges in the disappearance and murder of Tyo, the same day an autopsy is scheduled to determine if a body found is, in fact, him.

Scott Lathrop, 40, of Plainwell was arraigned Tuesday on charges of open murder and conspiracy to commit great bodily harm. His wife, Lori Lathrop, 40, was arraigned on charges of assault with the intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and conspiracy to commit great bodily harm.

Kris Thompson - Lori's brother - and his wife Dena Thompson - Tyo's ex-wife - were arraigned Monday on murder charges.

Investigators believe the body found burned in a pickup truck in a gravel pit near Gobles is that of Tyo who went missing Dec. 3.

Court documents state Dena Thompson, known as Winky, asked her new husband - Kris Thompson - to kill Tyo. Dena was fighting Tyo over custody of their two children.

Police say a tip that Kris had been injured in the attack on Tyo led them to him, and he eventually confessed to jumping Tyo when he stopped at a dumpster Dec. 3, stabbed him, and put him into Tyo's own pickup truck before slitting his throat.

Kris then walked one mile to his house. Lori bandaged stab wounds that Kris got as Tyo fought for his life.

Police say Lori knew her brother, Kris, intended to attack Tyo and tried to find someone to help him do it. Detectives say Scott knew about the coming attack and actually drove Kris to Tyo's home to do it.

Scott's family says they are shocked at the charges and can't believe he would be involved with something like this.

"I honestly think he got sucked into something he didn't know. I'm not making excuses for him, but that's not the Scotty we know and love. It's just not," said Roberta Vist, Scott's aunt.

They told 24 Hour News 8 Scott has never been in trouble before, and that he is a good father, hard worker, and a well-known rocket football and wrestling coach for young children in Otsego.

Authorities have found two weapons, including a knife at the dumpster where Tyo was attacked.

Police say more arrests could still be in the works.

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There was a big turnout for his funeral. Fire departments from many townships were in the procession, many townspeople, and Perrigo employees.

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