76-year-old Lydia Cohn of Westland went to the Detroit Hilton Garden Inn Sunday afternoon. She came alone to get away. She was resting on the first step of a hot tub to relax. In her room was more than $11,000 in cash she had in a shoe box. Family told us another $30,000 was in her purse near the hot tub.
A housekeeper says she knew Cohn as a visitor to the hotel who had stopped by before. She affectionately called her "grandma." Tanganyika Walker says she kept her eyes on Cohn to make sure she was okay and left for just five minutes.
"I ran in there and then I just freaked out because I pulled her out. I pulled her out. I'm giving her CPR. I'm so upset. I'm crying, and it's like I wasn't doing it hard enough because some of the water came out, but it wasn't splashing out like it should have."
Cohn was found face down in the hot tub. The housekeeper tried CPR, but she couldn't be saved.
Now Cohn's husband, who is battling cancer, wants the money back and to know what happened. His niece, Sherry Paulus, tried calling Detroit Police.
"I get people that tell me they don't know what I'm talking about, and I ask them to look it up in the computer, that there must be a report number associated with the case, and I got nowhere."
Our sources provided us with a police report that we have now given to the family. In the meantime, they want just a simple phone call from somebody with the department telling them what they know.
Cohn's death appears to be from natural causes, but the medical examiner will make a final determination and then property will be released to the family.
"That was her life savings. That was her money, their money, and my uncle is ill and he would like it back," Paulus said.
An officer told us that he will call the niece and continue the communication between the family and the department.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:21 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:21:52 GMT
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
As people struggle to pick up the pieces in the areas of Oklahoma ravaged by tornadoes, we've learned some relief will be coming from right here in Michigan.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:25:13 GMT
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
Friday, June 14 2013 11:49 AM EDT2013-06-14 15:49:37 GMT
Authorities say hundreds of gallons of gasoline have spilled on the pavement and into the sewer at a Detroit gas station after at least one man confronted a fuel tanker driver.
Authorities say hundreds of gallons of gasoline were spilled on the pavement and into the sewer at a Detroit gas station after at least one man confronted a fuel tanker driver.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
