Woman's mother, 10-year-old son killed in Woodhaven murder-suicide

Christopher Balzer, Sherry Multop shot and killed in Woodhaven apartment

WOODHAVEN, Mich. – The mother of a 10-year-old boy and daughter of a woman who were shot and killed in a murder suicide in Woodhaven is devastated.

Wendy Multop's son, Christopher Balzer, and 49-year-old mother, Sherry Multop, were shot and killed by Sherry's 62-year-old boyfriend at the Marsh Creek Apartments Monday night. The boyfriend then killed himself. Police haven't released his identity because his family hasn't been notified.

Wendy said her son, Christopher, was having a bad day and wanted to spend time with his grandmother so they went over to her mother, Sherry's, apartment which she shared with her 62-year-old boyfriend. Wendy said she was at the apartment with her son, mother and grandmother, but left to get food. She then got a strange call from her mother's boyfriend.

"He said, 'wrong number,' and I said, 'What's the matter?' And he said, 'Nothing, see you when you get home,' and I said, 'OK,'" Wendy said.

When she returned to the apartment, she heard gunshots.

"I tried to get in the door. I heard the gunshots go off and heard him (the boyfriend) screaming and yelling," she said.

She then heard the boyfriend call 911 and tried opening the door again.

"He pushed it shut and yelled at me and all of a sudden, I heard another gunshot go off," she said.

Wendy went inside and found her son and mother lifeless.

"I ran over to him (Christopher) and tried to save him and couldn't. It was already too late. I took his headphones off because he had them on. He was on the couch when he (the boyfriend) came up and shot him," she said.

She said she stayed with Chris for a while but had to check on her 8-year-old daughter who was outside the door. Police arrived shortly after.

"The cops were there with their guns drawn and I told them it was too late. He already took his own life, but they had to make sure," she said.

She describes her son as "helpful" and her "best friend." She said her mother was loving and always helped her and the kids.

She said she is struggling with the loss and cannot afford to bury them.

"I don't make a lot of money. I try to support my kids and my grandma," she said.

Wendy does not know what could have sparked this tragedy, but said her mother and her boyfriend got into an argument last night and she believes the 62-year-old man's cancer returned.

She said she is planning to cremate her son and is trying to find the money for a memorial for him.


About the Authors:

Koco joined the Local 4 News team in September of 2016. She was born and raised in Metro Detroit, attended Central Michigan University, and previously worked at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.