Traverse City News and Events

Murder Charges Filed Against Teen In Traverse City Death

By Patrick Sullivan | July 4, 2019

A teenager told a friend on Snapchat that he “killed a homeless guy” by slitting his throat, according to charges filed in the case of a man who was killed while he camped next to the Boardman Lake Trail in May.

Joshua Todd Vandehoef, 18, faces life in prison on an open murder charge filed in Grand Traverse County District Court following an investigation by Traverse City Police. He turned himself in to the Grand Traverse County jail at 5:27am Wednesday.

A walker on the Boardman Lake Trail found the body of 62-year-old James Clair Chisholm May 29 around 20 feet from the lake.

Later, a woman told police she received Snapchats from Vandehoef in which he seemed to brag about the murder and another in which he stated that he didn’t even take the man’s marijuana or alcohol, according to the charges. Investigators also said they used GPS information to determine that at 1am May 28, Vandehoef’s Google phone was located within meters of the spot where Chisholm was found.

Vandehoef lived with his mother seven-tenths of a mile from the scene of the murder. He also had an address in Carmichael, Cal., a suburb of Sacramento.
 
 
 

Comment

Garfield Township to Consider Apartment Complex, Food Truck Ordinance, Wireless Tower

Read More >>

NMC Breaking Ground This Week On Geothermal Project

Read More >>

GT County Updates: Building Projects, Crisis Center, Treasurer’s Office

Read More >>

City Commissioners to Tackle New Budget, Shared Agreements, Deputy City Manager’s Departure

Read More >>

National Parks at the Center of Debate Over How to Tell America's Story

Read More >>

Ashley Ochoa's Bringing Nutrition, Comfort To Cancer Patients

Read More >>

Signs Of Life: Inside TCAPS' First Year Of Enrollment Growth Since 2019

Read More >>

Munson Healthcare Hospitals Earn Top “A” Safety Grades from Leapfrog Group

Read More >>

Park Updates: Camp Greilick, Historic Barns, Vasa, Civic Center & More

Read More >>

City to Host East Side Placemaking Workshop Wednesday

Read More >>

Humanitarian Award Winners Announced

Read More >>

Hickory Hills Day Camp Registration Opens May 13

Read More >>

City Enters Negotiations w/Performance Venue for Bijou, Extends Carnegie Lease, Approves Farmers Market Pavilion Construction

Read More >>

Modern Bird Opening Bakery in Former Mary’s Space; Bay Bread Opening New Location in Hagerty Cafe

Read More >>