MSP clears inmate in death threats against Lansing official

The Michigan State Police have concluded their investigation of threats allegedly made by convicted serial killer Matthew Macon against Lansing City Councilwoman Carol Wood and an Ingham County Prosecutor and concluded that they were harmless.

Shanon Banner, spokesperson for the Michigan State Police issued the following statement on the case late Tuesday:

The MSP Major Case Unit has thoroughly investigated this matter and determined it not to be a viable threat. Numerous people were interviewed, including the inmate who authored the letter mentioning the threats, Mr. Macon, other inmates, and family and friends of Mr. Macon. The investigation showed no nexus from family or friends back to Mr. Macon and no ability to actually carry out the threats.

Wood, and Catherine Emerson, chief deputy prosecutor for the Ingham County Prosecutor’s office, were notified in late August of the threats. Wood confirmed the investigation at the end of September after officials announced a prisoner was going to be charged for a plot to kidnap and kill state Rep. Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga). Emerson was the prosecutor in Macon’s trial, and Wood’s mother was one of Macon’s victims during a 2007 murder spree in Lansing.

“I appreciated the fact that the Prosecutor felt that this threat was critical enough to involve MSP Major Case Unit and that they thoroughly investigated it. Whether or not Macon had the ability to carry them out, he continued to victimize our family,” said Wood. “Because of the murder of my mother at the hands of Matthew Macon, when first notified of the threat it was reliving a chapter in my life which has never been closed and is always just below the surface. I want to thank all who called and offered their thoughts and prayers at this time.”