GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. – It has been more than 14 years since JoAnn Matouk Romain disappeared after attending a church service in Grosse Pointe Farms. Her body was found in the Detroit River 70 days later.
JoAnn Matouk Romain was last seen on Jan. 12, 2010, at a prayer service at the Lake Catholic Church in Grosse Pointe Farms. Her car, with her purse, and wallet were found in the church parking lot.
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Investigators said they followed footprints in the snow from the lot to Lake St. Clair. They searched the waters, but did not find her. Then, in March of that year, her body was found by fishermen in a channel of the Detroit River.
Police said they believed she killed herself by walking into Lake St. Clair. Her family believes she was murdered.
Her family said JoAnn Matouk Romain got into an argument with Tim Matouk, and for more than a decade they have suspected him of having something to do with her death. Tim Matouk is JoAnn Matouk Romain’s cousin.
Paul Hawk swore under oath that he saw Tim Matouk with JoAnn Matouk Romain near the water the night she went missing. Police did not deem him credible. Hawk was found dead inside his Grosse Pointe home in 2021.
Tim Matouk has said he’s been the victim of a witch hunt and it’s ruining his life and reputation. He broke his silence in the case in 2021. He has never been arrested or charged with the death of JoAnn Matouk Romain.
Tim Matouk has worked as an investigator for Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office. He’s worked on many notable cases and has been in law enforcement for more than three decades. When JoAnne Matouk Romain died, he was a Harper Woods police officer.
In 2021, Local 4′s Karen Drew sat down with Tim Matouk to get his version of the mysterious death of JoAnn Matouk Romain.
There is a $200,000 reward being offered for credible tips that lead to an arrest in this case.
--> Tim Matouk breaks silence 11 years after JoAnn Matouk Romain found dead in Detroit River
Local 4 special report on JoAnn Matouk Romain’s mysterious death
A Local 4 special report that originally aired in 2021 is available in six parts in the video players below.
Part one:
Part two:
Part three:
Part four:
Part five:
Part six:
---> More coverage on this case is available here