Almost two years after masked men shot and killed 59-year-old Ricky H. Bailey in his Verona Township home, Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson is once again asking for assistance with the case.
Despite the many tips and theories offered since the December 2020 homicide, there are no solid leads, confounding the investigation involving a total of nine agencies from local, state and federal law enforcement.
It was after 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 when Bad Axe Police and the Huron County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Rapson Road scene, finding Bailey on the floor with two gunshot wounds, and his two sons, ages 11 and 20 at the time, also in the house. The youngest son told police that he, his brother and Bailey were in different rooms when he heard a door opening. He went to tell his father, only to find him already on the floor, shot but still alive as two intruders demanded money from him.
According to a past press release, Sheriff Hanson said that, “The victim was then further physically assaulted by one of the assailants while the youngest son attempted to lock himself in a bathroom,” a move undone by one of the intruders kicking in the door, taking the boy to another room, and telling him to lay on the floor. It’s unclear if the intruders were aware of the 20-year-old son, who hid in another room and waited until they left to call police.
Bailey was taken to McLaren Thumb Region Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The sons were not harmed in the attack and described the two intruders as wearing all black ski masks, leather jackets, pants and gloves. While officials are unsure how the intruders arrived and left the scene, they theorized that Bailey’s home was targeted either because his family had only just recently moved into the home, or the intruders targeted the home due to former occupants.
Since February 2021, friends and family of Bailey have offered a $4600 reward for information related to the death.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s office during regular business hours at 989-269-6500, or Huron Central dispatch at 989-269-6421 anytime. Confidential callers can use our confidential TIPS line at 989-269-2861. Information can also be sent via email to Detective Ford at fordd@co.huron.mi.us.
