HOLLY TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Michigan State Police have released the identity of man they’re calling a person of interest in the death of a convicted sex offender who was killed just one week after his release from jail.

Dennis McCarthy was stabbed to death Aug. 23, 2009, inside his Holly Township home.

According to police, Dennis McCarthy's wife heard a noise early that Sunday morning and went to check the locks on the doors.

Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Gary Muir said an attacker pushed his way through the back door, stabbed McCarthy and ran off.

"He (McCarthy) then chased the intruder out the door and after closing the door, he collapsed," Muir said.

McCarthy later died at a hospital.

Police said 34-year-old Jeremy Heath has not been accounted for since McCarthy’s death, and they want to question him.

According to state records, Heath has a criminal history that involves felony assault.

There is currently a warrant out for his arrest in an unrelated case.

View: Heath's State Correction Record.

A woman who is a McCarthy family friend spoke with Local 4 a day after his death, and expressed concern for McCarthy's wife of 30 years.

"Our prayers are with her and our thoughts are with her and we're grieving for her now," the friend said, not wishing to be identified.

McCarthy had just been released from jail a week earlier, after serving a one year sentence for admittedly molesting his 4-year-old grandson. He was still serving nine years of probation.

Muir said police believe McCarthy knew his attacker.

"We believe that this is not a random act. We believe it is somehow linked to the previous investigations," Muir said.

The McCarthy family friend said despite McCarthy's past, whoever attacked and killed him must be brought to justice.

"He shouldn't go free. He shouldn't go unpunished, whoever did it for any reason at all. You can't take the law in your own hands," the friend said.

McCarthy's wife said the attacker was a white man in his 20s. He was about 5 feet 7 inches tall with a stocky build. He was last seen wearing a hooded sweatshirt.

If you have any information, you are urged to contact the Michigan State Police.