Warren Police Reopen 1981 Double Homicide Case Amidst Evidence Destruction Challenge
Warren police have reopened a 1981 double homicide case where two young women, Lisa Schwartzkopf and Cheryl Kemp, were killed. A significant challenge to the renewed investigation is the accidental destruction of key evidence by police in 1988, which complicates…
Detroit, MI, September 29, 2026 — Warren police have officially reopened the investigation into a 1981 double homicide that claimed the lives of Lisa Schwartzkopf and Cheryl Kemp. The case, which has remained cold for decades, is facing a significant hurdle due to the accidental destruction of crucial evidence by the department in 1988.
The renewed effort aims to bring closure to the families of Schwartzkopf and Kemp, who were tragically killed. However, the circumstances surrounding the investigation have been complicated by past departmental actions. According to reports, key evidence related to the case was inadvertently destroyed by the Warren Police Department approximately seven years after the homicides occurred, in 1988.
The loss of this evidence presents a considerable challenge for investigators working to uncover new leads or re-examine existing findings. The exact nature and scope of the destroyed evidence have not been detailed.
Details regarding the circumstances of the 1981 homicides, including the specific locations where the victims were found or the initial investigative steps taken, were not immediately available. The identities of potential suspects or persons of interest from the original investigation were also not disclosed.
The reopening of the case signifies a commitment by the Warren Police Department to pursue justice, despite the acknowledged difficulties posed by the lost evidence. The department has stated its intention to utilize all available modern investigative techniques and resources in its pursuit of the truth, while acknowledging the constraints imposed by the 1988 destruction of evidence.
Further details regarding the investigation’s progress, any new findings, or specific challenges encountered will be provided as they become available. The impact of the lost evidence on the potential for solving the case remains a significant question for both law enforcement and the families involved.
Story summarized from the original created by Erika Erickson, Jeff Jewell, Kayla Clarke on www.clickondetroit.com, see more information here.
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