The Wyoming Police Department is still fully engaged in an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 25-year-old Charles Oppenneer and 18-year-old Brooke Slocum.
While investigating an abandoned vehicle at approximately 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, officers with the Wyoming Department of Public Safety located Oppenneer’s body in a wooded area just north of Gezon Court in Wyoming.
While identifying Oppenneer, it was determined that he was Slocum’s last known contact. At that time, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety named Slocum as a missing person. As a result of the missing person investigation, police executed a search warrant on Slocum’s computer. With the help of the Internet Crimes Against Children, or ICAC, forensic team, investigators found information from Slocum’s computer that led them to identify 31-year-old Brady E. Oestrike – birthdate Dec. 4, 1982 – as a suspect.
Yesterday at approximately 9:15 p.m. investigators were in the process of obtaining a search warrant for Oestrike’s residence when he was observed leaving the residence in a yellow, 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt.
Police pursued the vehicle eastbound on Burton Street from the Burlingame Avenue to the US 131 overpass where the suspect crashed into a cement barrier on the northeast corner of the entrance ramp to northbound 131. The suspect was located in the vehicle and was pronounced deceased at the scene from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A search of the suspect’s vehicle resulted in the recovery of Brooke Slocum whose deceased body was found in the trunk.
As part of its ongoing investigation, the Wyoming Department of Public Safety did discover a number of assault-type weapons in Oestrike’s home. The investigation of Oestrike’s home and the circumstances surrounding this tragedy is ongoing in order to verify Oestrike acted alone and that there are no other victims.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety extends its deepest condolences to the families of those involved in this tragic situation. The families have asked that their privacy be respected during this difficult time. The department would also like to thank ICAC, Michigan State Police, the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office and the Grand Rapids Police Department for their assistance during the investigation.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety will be prepared to share additional information on Tuesday, July 22.
