CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP, Mich:  KCSO Major Case detectives arrested Garry Dean Artman, a 64-year-old Florida man, for the 1996 murder of Sharon Hammack. Artman was taken into custody in Mississippi and is awaiting extradition to Michigan. KCSO detectives, along with advancements in DNA testing, were able to further piece together evidence from the October 3^rd, 1996 murder. After meeting with the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office, charges of Homicide – Open Murder, Homicide – Felony Murder, and Criminal Sexual Conduct 1^st Degree were authorized.

On October 3^rd, 1996, Kent County deputies responded to 76^th St SE between Patterson Ave and Kraft Ave in Caledonia Township and located a deceased female. It was determined that she was sexually assaulted and strangled to death.

The KCSO would like to thank the following law enforcement partners in assisting with this case: Mississippi State Highway Patrol, Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, Forrest County Sheriff’s Office - Mississippi, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office - Alabama, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office - Florida, Michigan State Police Crime Lab, Kent County Prosecutor’s Office, and the US Postal Inspection Service.

Media Availability

Monday, August 22^nd, 2022 at 10:00 at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, representatives from KCSO, the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Michigan State Police Crime Lab will be present for questions.

Contact: Sgt. Eric Brunner | 616.632.6106
eric.brunner@kentcountymi.gov
Incident: 96-047194
 

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