Upcoming Michigan History Meeting to Hear About Mackinac Murder True Crime
When Frances Lacey was murdered in July 1960 on Mackinac Island, police found meager clues and the case turned cold. Now, after more than sixty years, could those same clues finally solve the mystery?
On July 24, 1960, the quaint charm and serenity of Mackinac Island, nestled between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, was shattered by Lacey’s brutal death. Despite a massive manhunt and thousands of pages of police reports, her killer was never caught.
In his newest book “Grim Paradise,” award-winning true crime author Rod Sadler delves into the secrets of one of Michigan's most perplexing murder cases. His presentation at the 7:00 p.m. Mason Area Historical Society meeting on Thursday, May 9, 2024 is one you won’t want to miss!
The event will be in the Virginia Schlichter Auditorium at the Mason Area Historical Museum, 200 E. Ash Street in Mason. Admission is free and the public is invited, but parental discretion is advised.
In the past five years, the Society has hosted Rod Sadler twice before. Back then, he discussed several other true crimes in mid-Michigan’s local history. This year, he will be back to talk about the true crime that took place up north on Mackinac Island.
In his past presentations, Rod Sadler talked about his first book, “To Hell I must Go,” which is a story from the 1890’s about a deranged woman in Williamston who some might refer to as Michigan's own Lizzie Borden. He also discussed his second book, “A Slayer Waits,” about a double murder in the mid-20th century near Stockbridge.
More recently he returned to talk about his third book “Killing Women,” another true crime story. That was based on in-person interviews with Don Miller, who was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl and assaulting her brother in the summer of 1978. While serving time for that crime, Miller admitted to killing four women.
Copies of Rod Sadler’s books will be available for purchase after the meeting’s program. The Mason Area Historical Society is a non-profit organization dependent upon memberships and donations. They ask you to please consider donating to allow events like this to continue to be offered in the future.