Authorities seeking help in 17-year-old slaying of 2 Genesee County men

Authorities in Oakland County, MI, are seeking assistance in solving a cold case from 2008 involving the murders of two Genesee County men, Terry Lee Holbin, 51, and Ronnie Ralph Tripp, 55. The bodies of both men were discovered along Interstate 75 in Independence Township by a state surveying crew working in the area. The men had been shot in the head with a small-caliber firearm, and their decomposed bodies were identified through DNA analysis.

Sheriff Michael Bouchard expressed the importance of finding those responsible for such heinous acts, emphasizing the need to hold perpetrators accountable and provide closure for the victims' families. He urged anyone with information about the case to come forward, noting that tips could be eligible for a reward.

Holbin and Tripp, both retired and living together in Flint Township, had been estranged from their families and were last seen in October 2006. Authorities believe the murders occurred several months before their bodies were discovered in April 2008.

In the ongoing investigation, no suspects have been ruled out. A year after the bodies were found, detectives identified Holbin's 1999 Chevrolet pick-up truck, which had been located but burned prior to its recovery, limiting its utility as evidence.

Detective Sgt. Matt Peschke of the sheriff's special investigations unit reiterated the need for public assistance in resolving the case, encouraging anyone with relevant information, no matter how minor, to contact the cold case unit. The sheriff's office is offering a $2,000 reward for tips leading to an arrest, and individuals can report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.