Missing Warren woman's husband being held as person of interest

Warren police search for Kimberly Dejohn, who was reported missing May 28

WARREN, Mich. – Warren police are asking for the public's help in the search for a 51-year-old woman who was last seen May 14.

Kimberly Dejohn was last seen in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 14, but wasn't reported missing until May 28. Police say she allegedly left her home in the 21000 block of Sherwood Avenue on foot.

Police are fearing the worst and foul play.

Dejohn's sister, Brenda Ernst, reported her missing. There hasn't been activity on Dejohn's Facebook page and no phone calls. Her children couldn't reach her on Mother's Day.

"She has three children that are very worried about her right now, and the family is worried about her and all we want is to bring her home," said Ernst.

Police are holding her husband, Loyd Dejohn, as a person of interest in her disappearance. He was arrested Friday and is being held in the Macomb County Jail on an aggravated domestic violence charge. He was slapped with a big bond.


-- Loyd Dejohn

One of Kimberly Dejohn's children spoke to Local 4 Tuesday night.

"It's rough not knowing where my mom is," said Jennifer Outman. "(It's) one of those things you thought would never happen."

Outman said she spoke to her stepdad, Loyd Dejohn, three weeks ago.

"Her husband had told me that they had a fight and police had been called and they sent an ambulance for a psych evaluation, and I had no reason not to believe it," Outman said.

She said she grew more suspicious when her stepdad told her he wanted her to come get her mother's belongings because he was moving another woman in the house.

"We finally came to an agreement that her stuff would go into storage, but that's when I thought she was in the hospital," Outman said.

The same day Outman filed a missing persons report, her stepdad was arrested on domestic violent charges.

But Kimberly Dejohn is still no where to be found. Michigan State Police are now using cadaver dogs to search the house on Sherwood Avenue.

Kimberly's daughter said she wants one more conversation with her stepfather to ask, "Where's my mom? What really happened that night? At least let us know where we can look. Accident.? She can hold her own. (I'd) just like to know where she is."

Loyd Dejohn was arraigned Friday. His bond was set at $500,000.

Evidence of foul play found at home

Sources say Loyd Dejohn didn't report his wife was missing. Investigators found a receipt from a towing company and evidence of foul play at the home, which they were searching on Tuesday. Police believe Loyd had Kimberly's car towed and stored in a fenced-in lot by Detroit City Airport.

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"Whatever we can do to build a case here, and most importantly try to find Kimberly Dejohn," said Wolfe.

Kimberly Dejohn is described as a 51-year-old white woman standing about 5 feet 5 inches and weighing about 165 pounds. She has brown hair, brown eyes and multiple tattoos.

Anyone with information on Dejohn's whereabouts is asked to contact Warren police at 586-574-4790.


About the Authors:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.