'The Blood Is On Their Hands': Ex-Wife Blames Prosecutors For Deadly MI Mass Shooting

MISSAUKEE COUNTY, MI — The ex-wife of a man who police said carried out a mass shooting in northern Michigan last week is blaming prosecutors.

Katie Frye wrote in a Facebook post that she was out of town with her children when police say her ex-husband, 39-year-old Chad Hickman, fatally shot five people across Missaukee County before shooting himself last Friday.

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In the post, Frye blamed prosecutors and Missaukee County Family Court Judge Melissa Ransom for the way they handled her ex-husband's 2024 sentencing after he was convicted for fourth-degree child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of children in connection with a 2010 criminal case.

Hickman's conviction was part of a plea deal, which saw other felony charges, including assault with intent to do great bodily harm and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, dismissed.

He was sentenced to 365 days in jail and ordered to pay $1,775 in costs and fees, according to court records.

Frye said she warned prosecutors that Hickman was a violent man.

"The blood of all six victims is on Missaukee County Prosecutors and Judge Ransom," Frye wrote. "They let this happen I begged and pleaded with Missaukee county to help me. I warned them that this was coming and they laughed in my face."

The prosecutor's office explained why they entered a plea agreement with Hickman.

The Missaukee County Prosecutor's Office extends its condolences to the victims of this tragedy. With respect to the prior case involving Chad Hickman's ex-spouse, this office previously initiated criminal charges, despite the delay in the reporting by the victim, and despite the fact that the reporting was made in the context of a divorce filing. Unfortunately, as the prior criminal proceeding progressed, this office became aware of prior testimony in family court that the ex-spouse had given, under oath, denying that an assault had taken place. In light of the fact that the alleged victim's credibility had been severely damaged, and because the truthfulness of her proposed testimony was in question, and without other corroborating evidence to support the assault, the Missaukee County Prosecutor's Office entered into a plea agreement involving the remaining child abuse count.

Missaukee County Prosecutor's Office

Frye wrote that only one judge, Chief 28th Circuit Court Judge Jason J. Elmore, was the only official who tried to help her. She wrote that he gave Hickman the harshest sentence he could under the plea agreement, knowing "that the prosecutors had failed us."

"Chad sat 10 months in jail and then was released," Frye wrote. "They let him move two blocks down from me and continue to harass me stalk me even come into my place of employment and then denied me and the kids for (personal protection orders)."

Frye added that she believes she and her children were also targets in the attack and narrowly escaped death. She thanked a 13-year-old girl, who was wounded in the attack, for calling police, calling her a hero.

"The kids and I were not home when he finally went through with what I always knew he would do. I was getting ready to head home that morning. Bella truly is a hero! My children and I would not be here today if it wasn't for her phone call to 911. The prosecutor can try to twist and hide and cover up what they let happen but there's no covering this up. The blood is on their hands."

Frye filed for divorce in 2023. The case was overseen by Ransom, who described their marriage as marked by "significant dysfunction and mutual toxicity," with both parties accusing the other of domestic violence.

The judge found both sides made credible but inconsistent claims and ultimately resolved their disputes over property and finances.

Frye was not the only person to warn of Hickman's violent behavior.

Holly Urbaniak, Hickman's sister, told a mid-Michigan county judge that her brother took pride in hurting other people, according to a Detroit News report citing courtroom testimony.

Urbaniak also told the newspaper that the 29-year-old woman found dead next to Hickman was her sister, Heather Schwartz. She said she warned Schwartz not to let Hickman into her life.

Police also found three people shot dead inside a home on South LaChance Road in Lake Township. Those victims included a 40-year-old mother and her 16-year-old son, as well as a 45-year-old man. Police also found a 53-year-old man shot dead at a separate home in Missaukee County. They have not disclosed the exact location or community.

On social media, David Everitt of Cadillac identified his daughter, Amanda, 40, and her 16-year-old son, Eric, as two of those killed in the shooting at the family's home on South LaChance Road in Lake Township. He said his 13-year-old granddaughter Bella survived being shot multiple times and called police.

It was unclear how those victims were connected to Hickman, as Michigan State Police still has not released a possible motive for the shooting.