GRAND HAVEN, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – A 63-year-old Nunica man was arraigned on Tuesday in Grand Haven District Court on open murder and felony firearm charges stemming from the death of a 59-year-old neighbor last week.
Although he has no felony or misdemeanor record, Wendell Earl Popejoy was still ordered held without bond in the Ottawa County Jail by Judge Craig Bunce following the video hearing in which prosecutors claim he slew Sheila Bonge. Her body was found in a wooded area behind her 104th Avenue residence last Thursday night. Family members had not heard from her since Christmas afternoon; she was last seen at her home on Christmas Eve.
During the arraignment, prosecutors didn’t reveal what led to the victim’s death or what led them to arrest Popejoy. According to broadcast reports, Bonge had differences with various neighbors, with deputies telling WOOD-TV that they had been called to the residence several times recently to respond to reported disputes.
A preliminary hearing date wasn’t immediately disclosed. Funeral arrangments for Bonge were pending. Tips to Silent Observer are still welcome.
