Who Was Barbara George?
Barbara’s life was one of dedication to her family and her passion.Co-managing a comic book store with her husband Michael was both professional and personal – serving both roles successfully while mothering, marrying and running an entrepreneurial enterprise. After meeting Michael at work they shared, their romance blossomed over two years before leading to marriage and creating their shared business together.
Yet, beneath this idyllic exterior lay hidden challenges that would later play a crucial role in the investigation of her death.
Was Michael George Involved?
Initial investigations presented Michael George as a grieving husband. His alibi placed him at his mother’s home in Hazel Park, Michigan, during the time of Barbara’s murder. His mother vouched for him, noting she took their children to a park while he stayed at her home. However, conflicting testimonies soon emerged, with a witness challenging this narrative and claiming to have seen Michael at the comic store on the day of the murder. This shifted suspicion directly onto him, turning the tables in the investigation.
What Secrets Were Uncovered About Michael’s Personal Life?
As the investigation deepened, a dark underbelly to Michael’s life came to the forefront. Despite being married to Barbara, Michael was found to be having an affair with Renee Kotula, a friend and co-worker. Patrice Sartori later revealed yet another clandestine relationship from Michael’s past. Such revelations painted a grim picture of a marriage fraught with deception and infidelity, contradicting the once-perceived harmony of their relationship.
How Did the Trial Conclude?
The courtroom drama was tense and filled with unexpected turns. Prosecutors painted Michael as a man wanting to escape his marriage, suggesting his motivation was both an illicit relationship and a substantial life insurance policy he had taken out on Barbara. Michael was first convicted in 2008 but this conviction was overturned upon review; however, during a 2011 retrial his guilt was again confirmed and life without parole sentence issued as punishment.
Where Is Michael George Now?
At first, there was shock, grief, and confusion as news of Barbara’s murder spread through her community of 32-year-old living adults. When confirmed by doctors later on that Barbara had been shot in her head a complicated investigation began that would span over years and months.
This case, while now resolved legally, continues to leave a profound impact on the community and all those connected to Barbara.
