Denise Bohn Stewart. (Facebook)
A radio show host and her husband were found dead of gunshot wounds Tuesday morning in their home in St. Joseph, Michigan, police say.
The bodies of Denise Bohn Stewart, 45, and Eric Stewart, 51, were found by police just after 6:30 a.m., WNDU-TV reports. Their three young children were inside the home, but were not harmed, police said.
Bohn Stewart was the co-host of “Denise & Jonny in the Morning” on 98.3 The Coast. She was also previously an award-winning TV reporter for a local news station, WSBT-TV.
Police said Denise Bohn Stewart was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds in an upstairs bedroom, while her husband died of gunshot wounds in the home’s basement, the South Bend Tribune reports.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Couple’s Son Called 911 & Said He Found His Father ‘Passed Away’ in the Basement With Blood All Over After Hearing ‘Bangs’
Police said they responded to the home in the 3100 block of Wyndwicke Drive, in the Royalton Township, at about 6:30 a.m. after receiving a 911 call from one of the Stewarts’ children, WNDU-TV reports.
The child called 911 after finding Eric Stewart’s body. According to police radio dispatch recordings, which you can listen to below courtesy of Broadcastify.com, the child says he found his father and “believes he’s passed away in the basement,” and “sees blood all over.”
The child said he could not find his mother “anywhere around.”
The audio below has been edited by Heavy.com to remove dead air:
Responding officers told dispatchers they found three young juveniles at the house, who told them they had heard “bangs.” The officer also said there were bullet holes in the wall. Their mother was found upstairs, “clearly deceased,” the officer said.
Denise Bohn Stewart with her children. (Facebook)
Police removed the children, ages 10, 9 and 8, from the home, and said they are staying with other family members.
2. Police Say The Couple Was Having Marital Issues & There Is an Indication the Murder-Suicide Was Planned
Eric Stewart and Denise Bohn Stewart. (Facebook)
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police are investigating. Police said members of the public are not in danger.
According to WSBT-TV, police say Eric Stewart killed Denise Bohn Stewart before fatally shooting himself. Investigators said they learned the couple was having marital issues during interviews Tuesday morning, the news station reports.
Police said there were no signs of a break-in and they are not searching for any suspects, WNDU reports.
“There is some indication this was planned,” Michigan State Police Lieutenant Chuck Christensen told WSBT. “It hits closer to home…because you actually know the person. As human beings, nobody wants to see anybody deceased.”
UPDATE: Three children were found inside the home, they called 911 reporting a “man down”
“It’s a sad day,” Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey told reporters.
Police said the incident is “not a common occurrence” in the area where the Stewarts lived.
3. Her Co-Workers Called Her ‘Hard-Working’ ‘Caring’ & a Friend
Denise Bohn Stewart with her radio show co-host, Jonny Reinhardt. (Facebook)
Denise Bohn Stewart, a Michigan native and graduate of Michigan State University, was the co-host of the morning radio show on 98.3 The Coast, which is based in Benton Harbor, Michigan. She was also previously a TV reporter, including for several years on WSBT-TV. She began the co-hosting job in 2015.
“We have lost a member of our family at Mid-West Family Broadcasting,” 98.3 The Coast posted on Facebook Tuesday morning. “Rest in Peace, Denise.”
Her co-host, Jonny Reinhardt, wrote on Facebook, “I am not sure what to say. Denise and I shared so many laughs every morning. I had only know her for a short time but it was like we were brother and sister.There are no word. I didn’t just lose a co-worker today. I lost a friend.”
Upset to hear about the passing of my friend, community leader, & reporter, Denise Bohn Stewart. #RIP #PrayerRequest
WSBT-TV news director John Haferkamp said in a statement, “The entire WSBT 22 News family is saddened by today’s tragedy. Denise was not only a fellow journalist, but a friend to many of us. Denise was hard-working, caring, and loved our community. Her strong passion for life, for news, and sharing great stories will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her children and family.”
She graduated from Michigan Lutheran High School in 1989, according to the school’s alumni association, which posted a message on Facebook after her death.
“The Michigan Lutheran Alumni Association is deeply saddened to hear of the sudden, unexpected death of one of our own. Denise Bohn Stewart, Class of 1989. We will miss her bright personality and lovely smile. At times like this we are reminded that God picks his prettiest flowers first,” the group said.
4. She Was a Breast Cancer Survivor & Worked With the Susan G. Komen Foundation
Denise Bohn Stewart. (Facebook)
Denise Bohn Stewart was a breast cancer survivor and often raised money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She posted on Facebook on Monday, a day before her death, about her plans to run in a Race for the Cure event in May:
8 years and still a day does not go by that I don’t think about the fact I had breast cancer…not one single day. That’s probably because despite the fact you can beat the disease, it leaves behind scars, not only on your body but your mind. Thinking about my cancer journey daily isn’t bad, it’s just become part of the routine…like brushing your teeth, putting on perfume and picking out what bad-ass pair of shoes you want to wear that day to go take on the world!
Another side effect of cancer is a lifelong membership to the “Cancer Club.” It’s a unique sorority filled with amazingly strong diverse women (and also many men)…none of whom ever wanted to join, but in the end had no choice.
The reason I am so vocal and outspoken against this disease is because of how it attacks…it does not discriminate. Age, Race, Gender, Smart, Healthy, Funny, Bright, Middle Class, Wealthy, Making Ends Meet….cancer does not care. So we must!
She served on the board of directors for the Michigan chapter of the Komen Foundation, including time as its vice president, according to the charity’s website.
5. Eric Stewart Worked at a Local Nuclear Power Plant
Denise Bohn Stewart and Eric Stewart. (Facebook)
Eric Stewart worked at the Cook Nuclear Plant, WSBT-TV reports.
The power plant said in a statement to WSBT, “”Eric Stewart was a 28-year AEP employee. He was a maintenance supervisor. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those impacted by this terrible news, as well as with all of our employees. We have made grief counselors available to our employees. We’re still processing this ourselves. That’s all we have to say at this time.”
He is originally from Shinnston, West Virginia, according to his Facebook page.
In addition to his three children with Denise Bohn Stewart, Eric Stewart is survived by an adult son from a previous relationship.
