Crime Solvers Central
CSC
263 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Shirley Sailor death by force case profile photo

Shirley Sailor

Case from Highland-park, MI dated Oct 21, 1974

Victim Details

Shirley Sailor

Female

Black / African American

Highland-park

MI

1974-10-21

28

Shirley

Sailor

07/09/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
On an autumn evening in 1974, the life of 28-year-old Shirley Sailor was brought to a tragic and violent end. On October 21st, police in Highland Park, Michigan, received an anonymous tip that led them to the apartment Sailor shared with her common-law husband, the novelist Donald Goines. Upon entering the residence, authorities discovered a grim scene. Both Sailor and Goines had been shot multiple times.

Sailor was found in the kitchen, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her che ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for Shirley Sailor, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (5)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Donald Goines - Wikipedia
  • Shirley Sailor (1946-1974) - Find a Grave Memorial
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 3 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (2)

    Reading up on Shirley Sailor and Donald Goines’ case makes me think about the life Shirley might h... ...Read More
    12/24/2023
    I recently came across a detail about Shirley Sailor and it's just been stuck in my mind. From what ... ...Read More
    01/26/2023
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for Shirley Sailor

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from Highland-park, Michigan

    Monique Green death by force case in Highland-park, MI

    Monique Green

    Death: Sep 16, 2020
    A profound sense of loss settled over the community of Highland Park, Michigan, following the violen e ...Read More
    Shaniya Todd death by force case in Highland-park, MI

    Shaniya Todd

    Death: Dec 18, 2020
    On a tragic day in December, a visit to check on a friend turned into a fatal encounter for 21-year- r ...Read More
    Asia Davis death by force case in Highland-park, MI

    Asia Davis

    Death: Jun 01, 2023
    On the first day of Pride Month in 2023, a life full of promise was tragically cut short in Highland n ...Read More
    Nevaeh Christian death by force case in Highland-park, MI

    Nevaeh Christian

    Death: Apr 29, 2021
    In the early hours of a spring morning in Highland Park, Michigan, the life of 19-year-old Nevaeh Ch C ...Read More
    Shakiya Todd death by force case in Highland-park, MI

    Shakiya Todd

    Death: Dec 18, 2020
    In the a winter evening of December 18, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan, the lives of two sisters from Hi H ...Read More
    Tiffany Cook death by force case in Highland-park, MI

    Tiffany Cook

    Death: Mar 27, 2016
    On a tragic Easter Sunday in 2016, the life of a young mother was cut short in a senseless act of vi v ...Read More