Detectives search for answers in 'mysterious slayings' of 2 men in Oakland County 17 years ago

Investigators in Oakland County, Michigan, are seeking public assistance to unravel the 17-year-old mystery surrounding the slayings of two men, Terry Lee Holbin and Ronnie Ralph Tripp. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit is urging anyone with relevant information to step forward in hopes of identifying the perpetrators responsible for this crime. Sheriff Michael Bouchard emphasized the commitment to bring closure to the victims' families and encouraged the public to help, noting that information leading to an arrest could result in a reward.

Holbin, 51, and Tripp, 55, both retired and residing in Flint Township, were last seen alive in October 2006. The men were estranged from their families at the time of their disappearance. Their remains were discovered in April 2008 along the northbound side of I-75 in Independence Township, hidden beneath trees by a state surveying crew.

The autopsy revealed that both men had suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head from a small-caliber firearm. Unfortunately, due to the advanced state of decomposition, extensive investigations have yielded limited leads, and there's a belief that the men were killed several months prior to the discovery of their bodies. Detective Sgt. Matt Peschke stated that no suspects have been ruled out in this ongoing investigation.

In a notable development a year after their bodies were found, authorities located Holbin's 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck. However, the vehicle had been set ablaze prior to its recovery, rendering it of minimal evidentiary value. This only deepens the mystery surrounding their deaths, as investigators continue to seek any potential clues.

The Sheriff's Office is requesting anyone with information, no matter how trivial it may seem, to contact the Cold Case Unit or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. A reward of up to $2,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest. Tipsters can remain anonymous, and any assistance could be pivotal in solving this case and providing answers to the families left in the dark.