Joseph Robertson, a 78-year-old resident of the Oakland Hills, was found dead in his home on Thackeray Drive in the Montclair neighborhood on February 23, 2012. The discovery was made by friends who came to check on him early Thursday morning, around 7:00-7:18 a.m..
Robertson's death has been treated as a suspicious case, with police investigating it as a possible homicide.
Although the official cause of death was not immediately confirmed, neighbors and family members indicated that the circumstances suggested foul play. His body had been inside the home for several days before it was found.
Joseph Robertson was described by those who knew him as a gentle, peaceful, and kind individual who had no enemies. He had lived in the house for decades and was well-known in the community for his work as a graphic artist for the Montclarion newspaper, a position he held for 20 years before his retirement.
Neighbors expressed shock and concern over the incident, especially given the recent string of burglaries and break-ins in the area where doors were kicked in after the occupants failed to respond to doorbell rings. Some neighbors mentioned that Robertson's door had been found kicked in, although police did not confirm this detail.
Robertson lived alone, with occasional help from part-time caregivers and family members. There was also a mention that someone who had been living with him was kicked out the previous year, but police did not specify if this person was a suspect in the investigation.
The community was deeply affected by Robertson's death, with many describing him as a sweet and soft-spoken man who loved movies and regularly visited Fentons Creamery. His nephew, Harry Robertson, appealed for anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing that his uncle did not deserve such a fate.
