In the late afternoon of August 6, 2018, the community of Byron Center, Michigan, was shaken by the discovery of a local pastor's body on the side of the road. Dale Cross Sr., a 66-year-old white male, was found deceased next to his gray GMC Envoy near the intersection of 68th Street SW and Burlingame Avenue SW. A passerby had called the police just before 6 p.m. to report seeing a man on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound.
The initial scene was perplexing to investigators, as a tire jack was positioned under the vehicle, suggesting that Cross may have been in the process of changing a tire.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into what they initially termed a 'suspicious death.' An autopsy was performed, but the cause of death was not immediately clear. Cross was a well-respected figure in the community, having served as the lead pastor at Abundant Life Church in nearby Wyoming for 24 years. He was also a U.S. Marine veteran and had previously worked at General Motors before dedicating his life to the ministry. His death sent ripples of shock and grief through his family and former congregation, who remembered him as a man of deep faith and integrity.
After a thorough investigation, the Kent County Sheriff's Office and the Kent County Medical Examiner's Office concluded that Dale Cross Sr.'s death was a suicide. Investigators determined that the timeline of events did not allow for the involvement of another individual. The evidence suggested that Cross had staged the scene to appear as a homicide. Authorities believed he did this to spare his family the stigma associated with suicide. The revolver used in the shooting was found under his body, further supporting the conclusion of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The investigation also revealed that the flat tire on his vehicle was likely part of the staging to create a plausible reason for him to be pulled over on the side of the road.
Despite the official ruling, Dale Cross Sr.'s family publicly disputed the findings of the investigation. They were adamant that he had no reason to take his own life and pointed to his positive outlook and dedication to his family. His daughter, Tammy Blood, stated that her father preached against suicide and would not have left her mother in such a position, especially since his life insurance policy would be voided by a suicide ruling. The family criticized the sheriff's department for what they perceived as a premature conclusion and inadequate detective work. However, investigators maintained that while there were no overt signs that Cross intended to take his own life, his medical records indicated possible signs of depression. Ultimately, no arrests were made, and no suspects were ever sought as the official investigation concluded that Dale Cross Sr. was the sole individual involved in his death.
