On December 2, 1988, a brutal atrocity shook the small community of Three Rivers, Michigan — a murder so savage, it transcended a simple crime scene: 19-year-old Cathy Sue Swartz was found beaten, strangled, sexually assaulted, and stabbed multiple times. Her neighbor, 24-year-old Christina Y Shelton, died under suspicious circumstances less than a day later. For decades, the case remained one of the most haunting unsolved mysteries in Michigan: a true murder mystery shrouded in alleged police corruption and police cover-up.
The Facts: What We Know
- On December 2, 1988, Cathy Sue Swartz’s apartment was found with her baby asleep in the next room, unharmed. Cathy’s body showed signs of a violent struggle. ([theaegisalliance.com](https://theaegisalliance.com/2023/09/19/who-are-the-true-killers-in-the-1988-murders-of-cathy-sue-swartz-and-christina-y-shelton-in-three-rivers-michigan/))
- No forced entry was found, suggesting the killer may have been known to Cathy.
- Blood evidence, footprints, and fingerprints were collected, but never matched.
- On the same day, neighbor Christina Y Shelton died in a car accident under suspicious circumstances.
Rumors, Allegations & Suspicions: Police Corruption and a Possible Cover-up
The 2023 article sheds light on the alleged involvement of two officers and the wrongful accusation of Robert Odell Waters.
The Police Officers Under Suspicion
- Michael Mohney allegedly assaulted a 12-year-old before the Swartz murder and may have been involved in the killings.
- Michael Costello is alleged to have been involved in the car accident that killed Shelton.
- Waters was arrested decades later but died in custody under suspicious circumstances.
Why This Is a Classic Cold Case
The case embodies several broader themes: cold case files, unsolved mysteries, true crime stories, and crime documentary-style investigative reporting.
What Remains Unknown
- Modern forensic tests on the blood, fingerprints, and footprints.
- The real killer if not Waters, Mohney, or Costello.
- Reasons for lack of transparency and possible institutional failures.
Conclusion
The 1988 murders of Cathy Sue Swartz and Christina Y Shelton get more info remain haunting unsolved mysteries. Through investigative efforts, these cases may finally see justice. Articles like this act as modern crime documentaries, exposing alleged corruption and calling for accountability.