Chilling Discovery: Three Seniors Found Hidden in Basement, Allegedly Placed by Suspected Killer, Says DA

In a chilling incident in Detroit, three men over the age of 60 were discovered brutally murdered in a basement this past February. Authorities have charged 27-year-old Lance Clowney II with first-degree murder, accusing him of using a hammer and knife in the attack. This revelation comes after Clowney was initially apprehended for a separate assault in the same house, officials confirm.

The violent episode unfolded on February 17th at a home located on Edsel Street. Clowney allegedly attacked the men before fleeing the scene, as detailed in a statement released by the Wayne County prosecutor’s office. The grim discovery of the victims’ bodies was made the next day, but it wasn’t until weeks later that Clowney was connected to the murders following his arrest for a separate assault at the same location.

The link to the three murders became clearer after Clowney faced charges of assault with intent to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon against a fourth individual at the residence. It took about a month for investigators from the Detroit Police Department to complete their inquiry, leading to Clowney being charged with murder last week.

According to the prosecutor’s press release, Clowney, a Detroit resident, has been charged in relation to the deaths of three individuals: Mark Barnett, 65, and Norman Hamlin, 66, both from Detroit, and Williams Barrett, 72, from River Rouge. On the day of the crime, Clowney is accused of fatally attacking the men with a hammer and knife inside Hamlin’s home before escaping the scene.

The sequence of events leading to the discovery began when Barrett’s wife reported him missing on February 18th. While investigating this missing person case, law enforcement officers were approached by another victim who claimed they had been assaulted in the same house. This individual described being attacked with a hammer by Clowney, which corroborated the findings of the prosecutor’s office.

He was allegedly caught by cops with the hammer, a baseball bat, and three phones.

Due to the “assaultive nature” of the attack on the fourth victim, cops said they believed Clowney was connected to the three bodies found in the basement. Court records show that he has multiple felony convictions for armed robbery, carjacking, felony firearm possession and fleeing police. Clowney was released from prison in January 2025 after being sentenced to five to 15 years for the carjacking and armed robbery convictions; he pleaded guilty to assault and battery in May and was sentenced to 40 days in jail, with a judge giving him credit for time served.

“It does not appear that the bodies were brought there,” Detroit Police Cmdr. Rebecca McKay told reporters at a press conference after the three seniors were found dead at Hamlin’s home. “It appears that the assault happened inside of the home.”

Sources told local ABC affiliate WXYZ that the residence and basement were covered in blood following the killings.

“[The victims] had apparently been brutally assaulted,” McKay said.

Neighbors told media outlets they didn’t see or hear anything out of the ordinary leading up to the discovery.

“Didn’t hear a thing,” said block club president Thomas Barnes in an interview with WXYZ. “Tragic, especially when it’s right there under your nose, so to speak.”

Online court records show that Clowney is currently facing charges of first-degree murder, assault with intent to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon. He was remanded to court and denied bond after prosecutors said he was a threat to the community.

Clowney’s next court date is a probable cause conference scheduled for April 8. A preliminary examination is set for April 15.