In the quiet community of Birch Run, Michigan, the life of 65-year-old Scott Engelhardt, a man who used a wheelchair, came to a tragic and violent end on October 15, 2021. Firefighters were the first to respond to the scene, a blaze that had engulfed Engelhardt's home. Once the flames were extinguished, a grim discovery was made within the charred remains of the residence: Engelhardt's body.
The initial investigation into the fire quickly took a dark turn as authorities determined that an accelerant had been used to start the blaze, indicating arson. An autopsy would later confirm the community's fears, ruling Scott Engelhardt's death a homicide. It was discovered that he had been shot. As detectives delved deeper into the case, they learned that Engelhardt's car was also missing from the property, adding another layer to the unfolding mystery. The motive for this brutal crime was soon suspected to be a drug-related robbery.
The investigation swiftly led to a series of arrests. Within weeks of Engelhardt's death, four individuals were taken into custody and faced charges of felony murder. They were identified as Faith Lord, 19, Nolan Croton, 20, Kyle Bostic, 24, and Jordan Harrison, 24. A fifth suspect, Jorden Schmitzer, was also identified and a search for him was initiated, with authorities warning that he should be considered armed and dangerous. Eventually, a sixth person was also implicated and charged in connection with the murder.
As the legal process unfolded, the intricate and devastating details of the plot against Scott Engelhardt began to surface. Testimony during court proceedings revealed a plan to rob the victim. One of the suspects, Faith Lord, eventually entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge of second-degree murder. In a Saginaw County courtroom, she was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison for her role in the crime that ended the life of a man described as an avid collector of treasures. The resolution of the cases against the other individuals involved brought a measure of justice for the senseless and violent death of Scott Engelhardt.
