In the quiet community of Hayes Township, Michigan, the life of 27-year-old Nicole Bartel came to a tragic and abrupt end on August 25, 2019. A vibrant mother, daughter, and respected physical therapist assistant, her death left a profound void in the lives of those who knew and loved her. The circumstances surrounding her passing would soon reveal a devastating story of domestic violence.
On that late summer day, law enforcement was called to a residence in Hayes Township where they discovered the bodies of Nicole and her husband. The initial investigation into the two deaths quickly led the Clare County Sheriff's Department to suspect a murder-suicide. This suspicion was later confirmed, painting a grim picture of Nicole's final moments.
Nicole Ann Bartel, born on June 25, 1992, was a graduate of Harrison Community Schools and had earned an associate's degree from Mid-Michigan Community College. She was known for her dedication to her profession and her passion for coaching cheerleading. Her obituary lovingly remembered her as a mother to two children, a daughter, and a sister.
The investigation by the Clare County Sheriff's Department concluded that Nicole Bartel was the victim of a homicide perpetrated by her husband, who then took his own life. As this was determined to be a murder-suicide, there were no arrests to be made, and the case was closed with the identification of the suspect as the deceased perpetrator. The community was left to mourn the loss of a young woman and grapple with the dark reality of what had transpired behind closed doors.
