Authorities in Detroit discovered the bodies of three men over 60 in a blood-soaked basement, linked to a 27-year-old suspect in a nearby hammer attack. Lance Clowney II faces assault charges but not yet for the deaths. Police believe the assaults occurred inside the home.
On February 18, around 12:50 p.m., Detroit police were investigating a missing person report in the 3100 block of South Edsel Street when they were approached by a victim who reported being attacked by a man with a hammer near a residence. Officers arrested Lance Clowney II, 27, nearby; he was found with the hammer, a baseball bat, and three phones. Upon entering the home, police discovered the bodies of Norman Hamlin, 66, Mark Barnett, 65, and William Barrett, 72, in the basement, covered by carpet and dirty clothes.
Detroit Police Cmdr. Rebecca McKay stated at a press conference that the men had been "brutally assaulted" inside the home and appeared to have been dead for about a day. "It does not appear that the bodies were brought there," McKay said. "It appears that the assault happened inside of the home." Sources indicated the basement was blood-soaked.
Prosecutors linked Clowney to the deaths during his arraignment, though he has not been charged in the slayings. He faces charges of assault with intent to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. A prosecutor remarked, "Due to the assaultive nature, we believe the defendant is connected to not only this assault with the complaining witness in this matter, but the connection to three decedents in the basement." Clowney was denied bond and remanded, deemed a community threat. Court records show prior convictions for armed robbery, carjacking, felony firearm possession, and fleeing police; he was released from prison in January 2025 after a five-to-15-year sentence and had a recent 40-day jail term for assault and battery.
Neighbors reported no unusual activity. Block club president Thomas Barnes told WXYZ, "Didn't hear a thing. Tragic, especially when it's right there under your nose, so to speak." Clowney is scheduled for a probable cause hearing on Tuesday.