Detroit hair stylist found murdered

by Jessica Carerras

DETROIT –
Jeremy Waggoner, a 37-year-old Detroit resident, was found dead in a grassy field on Beaufait Street on Detroit’s east side last Tuesday, police said.
Waggoner, a stylist at the Michael Angelo Salon in Royal Oak, was well known and deeply loved, according to friends. He lived with his partner, Bob Cafagna on Detroit’s Beswick Street.
Waggoner was last seen on Monday morning after telling friends and Cafanga that he was going swimming on Belle Isle. According to Cafanga, it appeared as though he had been back to their house at some point before his disappearance, judging by the state of the house. Waggoner was reported missing on June 9, and flyers were posted on the door of Detroit’s Cass Cafe with recent photos of him, as well as a photo of his car.
Waggoner was not heard from again until police found his body brutally beaten and possibly stabbed on June 10 in the afternoon. Police are not sure whether he was killed in the field or at another location and his body then dropped off.
Waggoner’s green 1997 Mazda MPV has not yet been found.
Few details of the murder, including the possible motive, are known at this time. It appears as though Waggoner fought his attacker at some point, as there were skin samples found underneath his fingernails. It is speculated that the cause of the attack was either a carjacking or a hate crime or both.
Police are continuing to investigate.
The Triangle Foundation issued a statement Thursday urging anyone with information about the murder to contact the Director of Victim Services, Melissa Pope, at 313-909-3634 or via e-mail at [email protected] All calls are confidential.
Waggoner was described as 5-foot-11 and about 165 pounds. He had brown eyes and brown hair.
Services for Waggoner were held last weekend at Vermeulen Funeral Home in Plymouth.
Friends told WDIV Channel 4 that Waggoner was a gentle soul and planned to move to northern Michigan to open up a horse farm.