Horror Behind the Door: A Routine Welfare Check Uncovers a Chilling Crime Scene

On the afternoon of September 1, 2022, officers from the Ann Arbor Police Department were dispatched for what initially appeared to be a routine welfare check. The request came from a concerned social worker with the local Meals on Wheels program, who hadn’t been able to contact one of their elderly clients, Patricia “Patty” Falin Stern. What unfolded, however, was anything but routine—it quickly escalated into a grim and deeply disturbing discovery.

The First Signs of Trouble

The call to dispatch seemed benign at first. The social worker explained that Patty had not answered her door for several days, and neighbors had been providing inconsistent accounts of her whereabouts. One neighbor, a man named Keith Kinsky, claimed Patty was merely asleep, yet no one had seen her. Concerned by this unusual absence, Meals on Wheels asked the police to ensure Patty was okay.

Officers were sent to Patty’s apartment, and what began as a simple check-in turned into something far more sinister.

Suspicious Behavior

Upon arrival, officers were met by Keith, who initially claimed that Patty had gone out and was not home. As they pressed further, his story wavered—he first suggested she was at the store, then said he didn’t know where she was. He couldn’t provide a phone number or even say when she had left. Keith’s increasing evasiveness set off red flags.

Despite Keith’s reluctance, the officers insisted on entering the apartment to ensure Patty’s well-being. Keith resisted, citing reasons such as trash lying around or needing his walker. The officers, however, were firm. Officer Favor, who had interacted with both Patty and Keith in the past, reassured Keith that this was a quick check and not an investigation—yet something in Keith’s demeanor was deeply unsettling.

The Grim Discovery

After several minutes of back-and-forth, Keith finally allowed officers to enter. What they found inside shocked even the most seasoned responders. Patty’s lifeless body was lying on the floor. The most chilling detail was the plastic bag tightly taped around her head—suggesting a possible cause of death by asphyxiation.

Keith was immediately taken into custody, though he insisted he was innocent, repeating, “I didn’t do anything. I didn’t know how to go about it.” His nervous rambling continued as officers secured the scene and called for backup. Despite the horror of what was discovered, Keith’s biggest concern seemed to be mundane: his missing wallet, his walker, and dropping something off.

Clues and Contradictions

As officers searched the apartment, they found more items suggesting a deeper connection between Keith and Patty than he initially let on. A bag with Keith’s full name on it was found inside, implying he may have been living with or staying at the apartment. Officer Favor, familiar with their history, noted that the two had a complicated dynamic—sometimes friendly, sometimes not.

The plastic bag around Patty’s head was particularly suspicious. It had been wrapped and taped across her cheeks and around the back of her head, a method that appeared deliberate. The state of Patty’s body indicated she had been dead for some time—possibly as early as late July or early August—raising serious questions about how long Keith had been living with a corpse.

A Troubling Relationship

Throughout the investigation, it became clear that Patty and Keith shared a murky, possibly co-dependent relationship. Officer Favor described past welfare checks on both individuals and said that Patty’s mental and physical health had been declining. Keith, for his part, alternated between appearing protective and evasive.

Though Keith continued to deny any involvement, claiming that someone else must have done it and that he “always gets blamed for people’s crap,” his behavior raised doubts. Why hadn’t he reported Patty’s death? Why obstruct officers for so long if he had nothing to hide?

Official Response and Ongoing Investigation

As more officers arrived at the scene, Keith was processed and the apartment became an active crime scene. Investigators began collecting evidence, trying to determine whether Patty’s death was a murder, an assisted suicide, or the result of negligence.

Autopsy results would be key to uncovering the truth, particularly whether Patty was murdered or if other contributing health factors led to her death. The plastic bag and its placement strongly suggested foul play, but investigators would need forensic evidence to confirm this.

In the days that followed, neighbors shared that they often heard arguments between the two and that Patty had become increasingly isolated. Meals on Wheels had been her only regular connection to the outside world.

Reflections on a Tragic Case

This haunting case underscores the complex challenges law enforcement and social services face when dealing with vulnerable populations—especially the elderly who live alone or in precarious situations. What began as a simple wellness call spiraled into a crime scene wrapped in questions and sorrow.

While Keith’s full role remains uncertain pending the outcome of the investigation, the case highlights how easily red flags—missed meals, unreliable neighbors, and inconsistent stories—can mask tragic outcomes. The officers’ insistence on following through with the welfare check was crucial in bringing Patty’s fate to light.

Conclusion

The death of Patricia Falin Stern remains under investigation, but her story is already a sobering reminder of the fragile safety nets surrounding many elderly individuals. It also raises serious questions about the oversight of people like Keith, who may live on the margins of legality and morality.

As the justice system continues its work, one thing is clear: had it not been for the social worker’s call and the officers’ persistence, Patty’s tragic fate may have remained hidden behind a closed door—lost in silence, with no one left to ask what really happened.

Full video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sac6KlOa18Y