In the quiet town of Elberta, Michigan, a grim discovery was made on November 20, 2020, forever altering the lives of a local family. On that evening, a 911 call with labored breathing and a faint cry for help in the background led Benzie County Sheriff's deputies to a residence on Grand Street. Upon their arrival, they found a scene of unimaginable violence. Twenty-seven-year-old Robert James Freebold, a male, was found deceased on the kitchen floor from gunshot wounds.
Inside the home, law enforcement also discovered the bodies of two other individuals. Marilyn Schultz Freebold, 63, was found dead in the living room, also a victim of fatal gunshots. Malachi Andrew Maloney, 20, was found with signs of life but later succumbed to his injuries after being transported to Munson Medical Center. The lone survivor at the residence was Robert Michael Freebold, the 60-year-old husband of Marilyn and father to Robert James. He was found injured at the entrance of the home and was also taken to the hospital.
The subsequent investigation into the triple homicide led to the arrest of Robert Michael Freebold. He was charged with three counts of open murder. During the preliminary examination, details emerged of a bloody and chaotic crime scene, with furniture overturned and signs of a violent struggle. A firearm was found near Robert James Freebold's body. The prosecution argued that Robert Michael Freebold had deliberately killed his family members. The defense countered that there was no motive and suggested he was only a suspect because he was the sole survivor.
The case proceeded to a jury trial in April 2023. Prosecutors presented evidence that all three victims had been shot multiple times with a. 22 caliber pistol owned by Robert Michael Freebold. They contended that the crime scene had been staged to make it appear as though he were also a victim. The defense raised questions about the integrity of the crime scene investigation, suggesting possible contamination of evidence. Despite the defense's arguments, on April 12, 2023, a jury found Robert Michael Freebold guilty on three counts of first-degree premeditated murder. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. An appeal of his conviction was later denied in January 2025.
