Suvechha Sarkar
Barbara Marie George was a beloved daughter, loving sister, and dutiful mother. However, the life of the 32-year-old came to a sudden halt in July 1990 when she was shot dead in her store in Clinton Township, Michigan. It set in motion an investigation that would uncover a disturbing tale of betrayal and lies after 17 years. The episode titled ‘Lust for Love’ of Investigation Discovery’s ‘Deadly Affairs: Betrayed by Love’ sheds light on the investigation that revealed that someone closest to her was responsible for her untimely demise. It features interviews with her brother and the officials who helped serve justice.
Barbara George Was Pronounced Dead After She Was Rushed to the Hospital
Barbara Marie Kowynia was born on June 14, 1958, in Hamtramck, Michigan. Growing up, she never felt the absence of love from her parents, Peter and Virginia Kowynia. She always maintained an incredible bond with her siblings, Christine, Peter, and Joseph, AKA Joe. Whenever she got the chance, Barbara loved playing baseball. After graduating from high school, she took a job at the local supermarket. Shen then moved on to work as a cashier at a local grocery store. According to her brother, Joe, she often dreamt of meeting the right person. So, when she crossed paths with Michael Ralph George at the grocery store at the age of 21, it didn’t take much time for their relationship to bloom.
After just two years of dating, Barbara and Michael tied the knot in a beautiful venue. Over the years, they welcomed their children, Tracie and Michelle George, into the world. Barbara also helped Michael achieve his dream of opening a comic book store in Clinton Township, Michigan, and they became co-owners. On July 13, 1990, Barbara decided to throw a surprise party for Michael on his birthday. So, around 4 pm, he took their two children to his mother’s house, while she stayed back at the store to prepare for the party. About 6 pm, some customers came by the store and discovered Barbara unconscious in the back office. They called 911 immediately, and she was rushed to the hospital.
Unfortunately, Barbara was pronounced dead at the hospital. According to reports, a nurse later discovered a bullet wound in her head. The autopsy reportedly confirmed that Barbara was shot once in the head at close range, which was the cause of her death. When detectives searched the scene, they found that there was no evidence of forced entry. Barbara still had a $2,500 ring and $400 cash on her, $750 in the cash register, along with other jewelry. It reportedly suggested that there was no direct evidence of a robbery. Court records specify that no shell casings or murder weapon was found at the scene. However, decades later, an unfired bullet was uncovered from the old comic book store.
Alleged Financial Motive and Circumstantial Evidence Led to the Killer’s Arrest
During the initial investigation, officials questioned Michael, who claimed that two boxes of expensive comic books were missing from the scene. According to court records, he claimed that around 4 pm on July 13, 1990, he took his two children to his mother’s home, where he remained until the evening. Reports state that his mother informed the detectives that shortly after Michael’s arrival, she had taken Tracie and Michelle to a nearby park. In her statements, she insisted that when she returned home in the evening, Michael was still there. Investigative reports indicate that several witnesses came forward and claimed that Michael was having extramarital affairs and was allegedly flirtatious toward the female workers and customers in the store.
Court records state that further investigation reportedly revealed that Michael was allegedly having an affair with an employee at the store, Renee Kotula. However, Renee had an airtight alibi, eliminating her as a suspect. Investigators learned that Michael had cashed out two life insurance policies on Barbara, amounting to approximately $130,000, suggesting a financial motive. However, with no concrete evidence, the case became cold until it was reopened in 2007. During that time, detectives came across a witness statement from a person who contacted the authorities the day after Barbara’s murder. According to police records, the customer informed them that when he called the comic store between 5:15 pm and 5:45 pm, he had spoken to Michael on the phone.
It contradicted Michael’s claim and placed him at the crime scene at the time of the murder. Detectives reportedly found out that Michael had married Renee in 1992, just two years after Barbara’s death. According to court records, a witness claimed to have heard Michael asking his mother about calling the insurance agency on the day of the funeral. Additionally, it was discovered that Michael had falsely claimed on July 13, 1990, that two expensive boxes of comic books had been stolen. Reports state that he collected an insurance payout of $12,604 on that alleged ground. Ultimately, based on witness testimonies and circumstantial evidence, Michael was arrested. He was charged with first-degree murder, felony firearm (weapons charge), insurance fraud, and obtaining money under pretenses on August 4, 2007.
Michael George is Serving His Time at a State Prison Facility Today
The first jury trial of Michael began in March 2008. During that time, the prosecution claimed that he killed Barbara because he wanted to end their tumultuous marriage, but she allegedly didn’t want to give him a divorce since she didn’t believe in it. They alleged that Michael wanted to be with Renee. They further argued that there was no concrete evidence of robbery, and Michael’s claims about the missing comic books weren’t substantiated. On the other hand, the defense claimed that Michael had an alibi and was present at his mother’s house at the time of the murder. According to reports, his daughter, Tracie, took the stand in his defense and claimed that she remembered seeing Michael at her grandmother’s house in the evening, although she didn’t recall the exact time.
The defense claimed that Barbara might’ve been killed during a robbery. Ultimately, Michael was found guilty of all his charges on March 24, 2008. However, shortly before the sentencing, the trial court granted the defense’s motion for a new trial. Reports state that the court found prosecutorial misconduct and that newly discovered evidence, including police reports, which were not shared with the defense, could have influenced the jury’s decision. Michael’s second jury trial commenced in 2011, and after a 6-week trial, he was again found guilty of all charges on October 11, 2011. He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murder on November 21, 2011. Michael was also sentenced to a consecutive 2-year term for the weapons charge.
Michael reportedly received an additional 1 to 5 years in prison for obtaining money under pretenses and 1 to 4 years of imprisonment for insurance fraud, to be served concurrently. Following that, Michael appealed his judgment at the Michigan Court of Appeals, but the court affirmed the trial court’s decision on May 21, 2013. He reportedly sent an application for further review to the Michigan Supreme Court, but it was also denied. The defense continues to pursue post-conviction relief, including testing of an unspent bullet found in the old store. However, there have been no public reports on its progress. Currently, Michael is incarcerated at Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, Michigan.
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