What started with a phone call to the Problem Solvers soon exploded into a story that garnered international media coverage.

You first met 87-year-old Marabel Chanin in August of 2008; she was the last one -- desperate and alone -- in her section of Robinwood Street, arguably Detroit's worst nook. She died there alone soon-after, and for months lay bagged in the Wayne County Morgue. There she was joined with dozens of other bodies stalled at death's door -- waiting to be claimed and buried.

The response that followed was unmatched -- money was raised for funerals, families discovered long lost loved ones at the morgue and now there's resolution in a solution.

FOX 2's Brad Edwards got that first voice mail from Marabel, befriended her, lost, found and now discovers her back-story. Join us for a never before seen look at life and death in the 'D' and the change exacted by Marabel's cry.

Since the first broadcast of "Front & Center: The Forgotten City," we've been inundated with response. Play the videos below to watch this special presentation. It will also re-air in its entirety on Saturday, December 26 at 10:30 p.m. and New Year's Day at 6:00 p.m.

  • Watch the Program
  1. Front & Center_20091112214831_JPGFront & Center Part 1: Introduction

    A noted thinker once said, "If you look at the way a community …

  2. Front & Center Part Two_20091113163952_JPGFront & Center Part 2: The Neighborhood

    We returned to Robinwood, which is a little life after people …

  3. Front & Center Part Three_20091113164022_JPGFront & Center Part 3: Who Was Marabel?

    Marabel was a babe, fond of fashion. An only child, never …

  4. Front and Center Part Four_20091113164150_JPGFront & Center Part 4: The Morgue

    Among a series of names it meant nothing, the one that meant …

Note: You can contact the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office at (313) 833-2504.

  • Step Over The Edge
Brad's Edge

Brad's Edge

Get the latest story off the streets from Fox 2 Edge at 11 reporter Brad Edwards.

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  • Past Stories
A Farewell to Marabel A Farewell to Marabel

You may remember Marabel's story. Stranded as the last resident on her Detroit neighborhood street, she …

Miss Marabel Laid to Rest Miss Marabel Laid to Rest

Marabel was the only person left on a street riddled with crime. She lived alone and sadly died the same …

Burying The Unclaimed: Getting Results Burying The Unclaimed: Getting Results

It's a report that turned into a reporter's crusade. Now, we're getting results.