Murdered Westland teen's uncle speaks out about visit at his Detroit home

Police question last family member who saw Westland teens alive in Detroit

DETROITRichard Baxter, Jacob Kudla's uncle, is the last family member to see the teen and his friend, Jourdan Bobbish, alive.

Baxter has been questioned several times by police who are taking a close look at his own police record.

Read more: Grandparents of slain Westland teen call for justice

Kudla, 17, and 18-year-old Bobbish were last seen by Baxter on Sunday, July 22 at his home on the east side of Detroit. The teens were supposed to return home to Westland Sunday night, family members said. Kudla's vehicle was found July 23 in Detroit. The teens were found shot dead Friday in a west Detroit field.

"I think they stopped off at the stores somewhere ... and got jacked," Baxter said.

Baxter said the teens picked up marijuana and pills, including Xanax, from him on Sunday. He said he has no idea what happened to them after they left his house.

"I gave them a couple of each," he said. "I gave them pot. I had some pot.

Police have questioned Baxter at least five times. The Local 4 Defenders have learned he is on probation right now. He faces a number of drug-related charges from possession to distribution.

Sources tell the Defenders that it's clear Baxter has ties to drug dealers. He has been cooperating with police in their investigation into the teens' murders.

The question is: Does he know something about his nephew's murder?

"I've been crying ever since," he said.

Special section: Westland teens found dead in Detroit

Funeral is Friday for Westland teen

A funeral for Bobbish will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Morning Star Church in Garden City.

A fund for him, the Jourdan Bobbish fund, has been set up at all Fifth Third Bank locations.

-- Jacob Kudla and Jourdan Bobbish


About the Author:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.