Michigan True Crime: Arrest Made in 26-Year-Old Flint Murder Case

As someone who the true crime genre has recently sucked in, I'm fascinated by how cold cases, seemingly frozen in time, can suddenly come alive with a single tip or a DNA breakthrough. That's exactly what happened in Flint, Michigan, where a 26-year-old-cold case involving the murder of Shannon Holihan may have finally been cracked.

Genessee County Prosecutor David Layton and Flint City Police Chief Terence Green announced on October 10, 2024, that Flint police arrested 53-year-old Eric Dukes for the murder of 31-year-old Shannon Holihan. This crime occurred on May 27, 1998. Holihan's body was discovered behind a business on South Dort Highway, the victim of blunt force trauma. His 1994 Chevrolet Corvette, his dream car, was missing, and despite the initial investigation, the case went cold for over two decades.

Cold Cases Warming Up With New Technology and Tips

Thanks to funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and a grant from the Mott Foundation, Flint's cold case investigation got a much-needed boost. With these resources, the unit worked with the Michigan State Police (MSP) crime lab, which finally got a DNA hit on the evidence found under Holihan's fingernails linking Dukes to the crime.

Get our free mobile app

A tip to Crime Stoppers of Flint & Genessee County in an unrelated case also helped connect the dots, and now, 26 years later, Dukes has been charged with felony murder and carjacking.

Where the Case Goes From Here

Authorities believe that Holihan and Dukes may have met at Club Triangle, a former LGBTQ bar, on the night of the murder. Prosecutors suspect this was a hate crime, though Michigan didn't have ethnic intimidation laws at the time. If convicted, Dukes could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

RELATED: Unsolved Murders in Michigan's Capitol: Lansing Cold Case Files

This development brings hope for Holihan's family and friends as well as the families of other unsolved cases across Michigan. It's proof that even after two decades, a single tip or a fresh piece of evidence can lead to justice. This is why cold cases matter—no one should have to wonder forever what happened to their loved one.

If you have any information regarding this or any other crime, contact your local law enforcement agency, or you can notify Crime Stoppers of Michigan anonymously by calling 1-800-SPEAKUP or visiting 1800speakup.org.