DETROIT – A private investigator and a documentary team are working to learn more about the 1974 murder of author Donald Goines and his partner.
Goines and the mother of his children, Shirley Sailor, were shot multiple times in their Highland Park flat on October 1, 1974.
Their two young children, ages 2 and 4, were home when it happened.
The murders were never solved.
Goines’ life story will be featured in a documentary being made by the film company Detroit Son.
“When you look up the prolific authors, tell me how many can claim they sold 25 million books?” private investigator Bill Proctor said about Goines.
Proctor is the private investigator working alongside the filmmakers.
He said Goines wrote about tough topics like crime and drugs.
Goines drew on what he knew after spending time in prison and becoming addicted to drugs.
--> Detroit film company offers $5K reward for information on Donald Goines' 1974 murder
There are some who believe his writing may have got him killed.
“We’re fairly certain that the last book he was working on touched some lives that didn’t want any exposure whatsoever,” Proctor said. “He actually articulated to someone that this will likely be my last one, and I’m not sure I’m going to be able to finish it.”
There are other working theories Proctor is exploring in the upcoming documentary.
In the meantime, a $5,000 reward is being offered for new information about Goines’ murder.
Anyone with information is asked to call 586-873-1371.
The documentary is expected to be released in the spring of 2026.