Bashara Murder Case: Joe Gentz Released from Police Custody

GROSSE POINTE PARK, Mich. (WJBK) - He reportedly told Grosse Pointe Park Police that he killed Jane Bashara, and now Joe Gentz is a free man. Gentz was released from police custody Friday afternoon. Fox 2 talked to people who've seen him.

Click on the video player to watch reports from Maurielle Lue and Roop Raj.

After his release, Bob Bashara's sister, Laura Maurer, spoke out from the Bashara family home on Middlesex in Grosse Pointe Park.

"We were shocked and terrified when we heard the news that this [man] allegedly admitting that he killed our poor Jane is out on the loose," she said.

Gentz reportedly told investigators that Bob Bashara paid him to kill his wife, Jane Bashara.

However, Grosse Pointe Park Police Chief David Hiller released a statement Friday that read, "Our job as investigators is to prove facts beyond a reasonable doubt. In doing do, we must conduct a thorough and complete investigation."

"We're very scared. I have my niece coming home from college tonight. My mother and myself and my brother are in the house, and we're literally scared for our lives. I mean, this crazy guy is out," Maurer said.

Bob Bashara's attorney, David Griem, shared a letter he sent to Grosse Pointe Park Police. It read, "In light of the foregoing circumstances, the Bashara family requests police protection/surveillance of their family/home during whatever period of time that Joesph Gentz is out on the street."

Laura Maurer said she also made a personal appeal by phone to a police captain.

"I said, 'So, is there any surveillance or can you help us out or have a car drive by?' And he said, 'No. If you have any suspicious behavior, call 911,' she explained.

Right now, the only person of interest in this case is Bob Bashara, according to police.