DETROIT — Three elderly men, two of them U.S. Marine Corps veterans, were discovered beaten to death in the basement of a home on Edsel Street here, in what authorities suspect may be connected to drug activity at the residence. The victims, identified as 65-year-old Mark Barnett, 66-year-old Norman Hamlin, and 72-year-old William Barrett, were found with signs of severe blunt force trauma, according to Detroit police. The grim discovery unfolded on a recent afternoon when officers, searching for the missing Hamlin, were approached by a man who claimed he had been assaulted with a hammer at the nearby property.
Detroit Assistant Police Chief Charles Fitzgerald described the scene as one of brutal violence, though he withheld specific details to preserve the integrity of the investigation. "All three men were killed by blunt force trauma," Fitzgerald told reporters, adding that at least one victim had also suffered stab wounds, as reported by WDIV Local 4. The bodies were located in the basement of Hamlin's home, which police said functioned as a kind of informal boarding house attracting numerous visitors each day.
The sequence of events began when Hamlin was reported missing, prompting a police search in the neighborhood. As officers canvassed the area, a disoriented individual stumbled toward them, frantically alleging he had been beaten with a hammer inside the Edsel Street residence. Upon entering the home, police encountered the three bodies, their clothing soiled and one concealed under a rug, Fitzgerald said. The house, a modest single-family structure in a working-class Detroit enclave, had reportedly become a focal point for illicit activities in recent months.
Mark Barnett and Norman Hamlin, who served together in the Marine Corps decades ago, were close friends whose lives had intersected again in later years, according to family members speaking to CBS News Detroit. William Barrett, the third victim, was less detailed in initial reports, but all three men were described as elderly residents of the area with ties to the property. The violence appeared targeted and savage, with hammers believed to be the primary weapons, though police have not confirmed the exact implements used.
Neighbors expressed a mix of shock and resignation upon learning of the deaths. The Edsel Street home had earned a reputation as a hub for drug use, drawing concern from the community long before the killings. "He seemed to have set up a safe environment for people to come and use," said Joel Bond, a longtime resident who knew Hamlin. Bond, speaking to WDIV, painted a picture of Hamlin as a veteran who had lost his way after years of honorable service. "He got sidetracked on some things. He went to the military, served his country, and … it’s just a tragedy, as to what happened."
Another neighbor, who spoke anonymously to the same outlet, described Hamlin as a man with a "good heart who just got tied up with the wrong kinds of people." She noted that the house had seen an uptick in foot traffic, with strangers coming and going at all hours, fueling suspicions of drug-related dealings. This account was echoed by a friend of Hamlin's, who told WDIV that the community had anticipated trouble. "Something bad is going to happen" at the house, the friend said, reflecting a shared unease among locals.
Detroit, a city long grappling with the opioid crisis and urban decay, has seen a rash of drug-fueled violence in recent years. According to city health department data, overdose deaths climbed by 20 percent in Wayne County between 2020 and 2023, exacerbating strains on law enforcement and social services. While police have not officially labeled the Edsel Street incident as drug-related, the context of the home as a suspected "drug den" points to possible motives tied to disputes over narcotics or debts. Fitzgerald emphasized that investigators are exploring all angles, including the possibility of robbery or personal vendettas.
The sole person of interest in the case is described as a light-skinned Black male in his early 30s, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall. Authorities have not confirmed whether this individual is the same person who approached officers claiming to be a victim of assault. No arrests have been made, and police are urging anyone with information to come forward, offering a tip line for anonymous submissions. The description was released in hopes of generating leads, as the suspect remains at large, potentially armed and dangerous.
Family members of the victims gathered outside the cordoned-off home the day after the discovery, their grief compounded by the veterans' shared history. Barnett and Hamlin's service in the Marines, which spanned the Vietnam era, had forged a bond that endured into their golden years, relatives told CBS News Detroit. One family member, speaking on condition of anonymity, recalled Hamlin as a proud veteran who volunteered at local VFW posts before his circumstances declined. The loss of two servicemen in such a manner has prompted calls from community leaders for increased support for aging veterans facing homelessness or addiction.
In the broader landscape of Detroit's east side, where Edsel Street is located, revitalization efforts have been uneven. Neighborhood watch groups have reported a spike in property crimes linked to drug trade, with the Detroit Police Department allocating additional resources to high-risk areas last year. Yet, incidents like this underscore persistent challenges. A 2024 report from the city's mayor's office highlighted that over 40 percent of violent crimes in certain precincts involved substance abuse, though exact figures for the Edsel Street vicinity were not immediately available.
Investigators from the Detroit Police Department's homicide unit are processing the scene, collecting forensic evidence including potential DNA from the weapons and the concealed body. Autopsies conducted by the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office are expected to provide more precise timelines for the deaths, which police believe occurred within 24 to 48 hours of the discovery. Fitzgerald noted that the house's role as a boarding home complicated the victimology, as transient occupants could have witnessed or participated in the events leading up to the assault.
Community response has been swift, with local clergy organizing a vigil for the victims scheduled for the coming weekend. Representatives from the Marine Corps League expressed condolences, emphasizing the need for mental health resources for veterans. "These men served their country honorably, and it's heartbreaking to see their lives end this way," said a league spokesperson in a statement to local media. Meanwhile, neighbors like Bond have pledged to work with police to monitor suspicious activity more closely.
As the investigation unfolds, questions linger about how the Edsel Street home devolved into a site of tragedy. Hamlin's transformation from decorated veteran to unwitting host of a drug haven illustrates the vulnerabilities faced by many in Detroit's aging population. Police have not ruled out additional suspects, and tips continue to pour in, according to a department spokesperson. The case serves as a stark reminder of the intersecting crises of addiction, violence, and inadequate support systems in urban America.
Detroit officials, including Mayor Mike Duggan, have yet to issue a formal statement, but sources within city hall indicate that the killings will prompt a review of nuisance property ordinances. Enhanced patrols have been deployed to the neighborhood, aiming to reassure residents amid heightened fears. For the families of Barnett, Hamlin, and Barrett, closure remains elusive, as they await justice in a city forever marked by such stories of loss.
The Marine Corps, through its public affairs office, confirmed the veterans' service records but declined further comment pending the investigation's outcome. As Detroit presses forward with recovery initiatives, this incident highlights the human cost of unresolved social ills, leaving a community to mourn three lives cut short in the shadows of a basement on Edsel Street.