By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN — Chantry Rice, 40, of Dearborn was arrested in the
July 22 beating death of Maxine Callaghan in the 93-year-old Dearborn woman’s home.
Rice was arraigned in front of 19th District Court Judge Gene Hunt on the homicide-felony murder charge. He is currently being held at the Wayne County Jail until his probable cause conference at 9 a.m. Aug. 21.
Police officers responded to a house in the 21000 block of Outer Drive about 7:30 p.m. for a woman who had been found dead in her home. An investigation of the scene determined that Callaghan had been injured and items, including jewelry were missing from the house.
The Police Department worked with local, state and federal partners to identify Rice.
During an Aug. 12 press conference at the Dearborn Administrative Center, 16901 Michigan Ave., Police Chief Ronald Haddad said Callaghan
died from blunt force trauma.
“Just given some of the background I’ve given you, this is not a usual case, but our detectives were tireless and within the first 24 to 48 hours we had some pretty substantial leads that allowed us to continue our investigation and to keep the community safe at the same time,” Haddad said.
According to police, Callaghan was known by others in the neighborhood which she used to walk through almost daily. She volunteered at The Henry Ford and Herb Society.
Also, Callaghan enjoyed bird watching, completing crossword puzzles, was an avid reader, and had a soft spot for dogs, her obituary said.
She leaves her daughter Patricia Callaghan and grandson Aaron Maier-Denk. Callaghan was predeceased in death by her husband, Dr. Regis Callaghan; daughter Sharon Callaghan, her parents, Viola and Wilfred MacLean; and her brother, Harold MacLean.
In lieu of any flowers, Callaghan’s family ask that donations be made to The Henry Ford.