Police investigate possible murder-suicide in Franklin

Franklin murder suspect found dead at Royal Oak home

FRANKLIN, Mich. – The Franklin-Bingham Farms Police Department is investigating a murder that happened Tuesday in the 26000 block of Charles Lane in Franklin.

The death of 72-year-old Harry Berkowitz is being called suspicious in nature and is connected to a barricaded police situation in Royal Oak. That situation ended Tuesday afternoon when the suspect, 33-year-old Thomas Matthews, was found dead in the Royal Oak home from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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Matthews had lived with Berkowitz at the home in Franklin.

Franklin-Bingham Farms police had asked the Royal Oak Police Department to follow up on what they were calling a significant lead in the Franklin death investigation.

Police believe this may be a murder-suicide situation.

In a news conference Tuesday evening, Birmingham Public Schools said Berkowitz was a teacher at West Maple Elementary School. He had worked within the district for decades.

The Franklin-Bingham Farms Police Department is investigating a murder that happened Tuesday in the 26000 block of Charles Lane in Franklin.