(Part 1 of 2) Erik Stirling Cross was born on September 25 of 1966. Erik lived in Vicksburg, Michigan which is in Kalamazoo County with his parents and his younger sister Jackie Mitchell. According to Jackie, Eric was a great big brother. The two shared a love of music and both loved Led Zeppelin. Eric loved to hunt, fish and spend his time outdoors as many teenagers did in the 1980s. Jackie said her and Erik had a great childhood. They were loved by their parents and had a strong family unit. But life would change after Erik was viciously murdered in 1983.


On the June 25, 1983, Erik had plans to stay over with his friend Bill Cook. Erik’s dad planned on picking up the boys the next day and spending the Sunday at a boat show. It was something Erik looked forward to. However, unknown to Erik’s family, he was planning on attending a graduation party on that evening. There would also be alcohol at the party. Erik and Bill would both make it to the party. And the events at this party would lead to Erik’s brutal killing.


However, instead of staying overnight with Bill, Eric would become intoxicated and walking home alone. According to Erik’s sister, Erik didn’t stay with his friend Bill because he decided to spend time with his girlfriend and other people who would be involved in Erik’s death. Erik’s sister said that her brother’s friend abandoned him and left him alone.


Erik had left the party and was inebriated. Sometime before 2 a.m. Erik was seen walking past a gas station. There were also two carloads of teenagers from the party seen near Erik. Early that Sunday morning, Erik’s father went outside to get the newspaper. He would be shocked by what he found. Erik’s lifeless body was in the driveway.


He must have been confused. Why would Erik be dead in the driveway when he was supposed to be with his friend Bill waiting on a ride to the boat show?


According to Jackie Mitchell, everyone in town knew who killed her brother. She said it was no secret. She said that in late 2017, law enforcement issued a request to arrest five people and charge them with killing Erik. The five people named as being responsible for killing Erik are Amber Thomas Macik (Hull), Bill Cook, Tim Martin, Brian Spaulding Sr. and Brent Spaulding. Although law enforcement was prepared to arrest the five, they would receive some devastating news. The prosecutor’s office has since refused to prosecute the alleged killers. This is the first part of a 2-part story.


If you have listened to this story and would like to assist law enforcement or Jackie Mitchell, get justice for Erik, please contact the Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100, or the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office at (269) 383-8748. All information submitted will remain confidential. And if you would like to know more about this case, you can also visit the Justice for Erik Stirling Cross Facebook page.



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