Sources: 'Joe' claims to be forced into murder plot

Sources said Joe forced into murdering Jane Bashara

Jane Bashara

GROSSE POINTE PARK, Mich. – Multiple sources have told the Local 4 Defenders that "Joe," the man Grosse Pointe Park police have in police custody, had admitted to strangling Jane Bashara.

Sources said "Joe" told investigators he was paid to strangle the 56-year-old mother and he did it while being threatened, while being held at gunpoint.

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"Joe" said a second person drove Jane's SUV and her lifeless body down to the east side of Detroit, while he followed in a second vehicle, sources said.

Jane's car was left in an alley in the area of 7 Mile Road and Hoover Street, and the second person jumped in the car with "Joe" and they drove off, sources said.

Jane was found dead Jan. 25.

Local 4 is not releasing "Joe's" full name because he has not been charged. The second person he is referring has also not been charged, therefore the name is being withheld by Local 4.

Timeline: Jane Bashara case

Local 4 has learned that before moving to Grosse Pointe Park, Joe lived in a St. Clair Shores apartment.

"He had weapons in his house and he made it aware to people that he had guns and knives in the house," said former neighbor Debra McWherter.

McWherter and another former neighbor describe Joe as temperamental. They said that on several occasions he flew off the handle and more than once police were called.

"He walked back and forth outside my door threatening he'd be back, saying he was going to kill me, that he was going to 'F' me up," said a neighbor who requested not to be named in this story.

McWherter said police were notified of Joe's temper.

"We told police he is capable of anything. I mean, he would pace around here like a caged bear," she said.

Joe has been in police custody since Tuesday morning.

No charges have been brought forward in the ongoing murder investigation.