Vickiann S. Dewey, a 52-year-old female, found her life tragically cut short on April 28, 2006, in the quiet community of Union Pier, Michigan. Her death was not an isolated incident but part of a harrowing double homicide that also claimed the life of her daughter, Tonya Jo Goble-Studer. The events of that fateful day unfolded at Dewey's residence in Chikaming Township, forever altering the lives of their family.
The perpetrator of this violent act was Tonya's estranged husband, Gary Studer. On the day of the murders, a desperate Tonya had sought help, placing a call to 911 from a nearby school to report her husband's threats and express her profound fear that he intended to kill her. Tragically, her plea for immediate assistance did not result in a timely police intervention.
Later that day, Gary Studer arrived at Vickiann Dewey's home, where his estranged wife had been seeking refuge. It was there that he shot and killed both Vickiann and her daughter. When police eventually arrived at the scene, they discovered the two women's bodies inside the residence.
Gary Studer was promptly arrested in connection with the deaths of his wife and mother-in-law. He faced a series of serious charges, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. Following a trial, a Berrien County jury found him guilty of these charges, in addition to first-degree felony murder, first-degree home invasion, and felony firearm offenses, bringing a measure of legal closure to a senseless and devastating crime.
