Saginaw, MI – A man faces charges of murder following the death of Kelley K. LaLonde, who suffered extensive injuries and was on life support for months. Jonathan M. Zieroff is accused of abusing LaLonde, resulting in over 50 distinct injuries.
Details of the case emerged during a preliminary hearing on Monday. Prior to LaLonde’s death, Zieroff had already been charged with felony assault with intent to murder.
LaLonde’s mother reported her missing after she failed to respond to calls or show up for work. On September 12, she visited Zieroff’s home where police found LaLonde in dire conditions.
Officers observed LaLonde unresponsive and showing signs of severe neglect. She was taken to the emergency room, where medical staff identified multiple injuries including a fractured skull.
Zieroff was not home when police arrived. His mother stated he had left earlier to meet a friend and provided different explanations regarding LaLonde’s injuries.
During the hearing, a nurse practitioner testified regarding her examination of LaLonde. She identified 52 distinct injuries, indicating they could not be very old and described the severity of the wounds.
An autopsy confirmed blunt force trauma as the cause of death and classified the manner of death as homicide. Following the findings, investigators executed a search warrant at Zieroff’s residence, gathering evidence related to the case.
Zieroff was located in a wooded area nearby and taken into custody. Prosecutors requested that the case be bound over to circuit court for charges of torture and open murder. Despite concerns about the strength of the evidence, the judge ruled there was sufficient basis for the trial.
LaLonde is remembered in her obituary for her vibrant spirit and love of family and sports. A GoFundMe page reflects the support she received and the impact of her loss on those close to her.