McRae Case Investigated by Michigan Author Christie Lypka

Christie Lypka, published author of the young adult book "Sunshine through the Rain," and the short story "Everything is Going South," published in the "My Crazy Family" edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul is currently researching the crimes of serial killer John Rodney McRae.

McRae was 15 years old when he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 8-year-old Joey Housey in 1950. In 1971, after a series of decisions by the Supreme Court questioning the death penalty and life without parole for juvenile offenders, then Michigan Gov. William Milliken commuted McRae's sentence to life imprisonment with a chance of parole by executive order. McRae was paroled from prison on Feb. 2, 1972, after spending 21 years behind bars. 

Shortly after being paroled, McRae moved to Florida with his wife and young son. He worked as a guard at a juvenile facility. During McRae's time in Florida three young boys disappeared. Their bodies have never been found. 

In 1987 McRae murdered 15-year-old Harrison resident Randy Laufer. Randy's remains were found in 1997 in a shallow grave located on property once owned by McRae. McRae was convicted of Randy's murder in 1998 and sentenced to life in prison. He appealed against the decision and was granted another trial in 2005 where he was convicted again and sentenced to life in prison. He only served 13 days in prison before dying from complications of a stomach ulcer. 

Lypka is currently working in tandem with another researcher and author to try and bring closure to the families of the Florida victims and other potential victims.

"There is no doubt in my mind there are more victims," Lypka stated. "My goal is to speak to people who knew John Rodney McRae and his son Martin. You would be amazed how something small that someone may know can be a huge piece of information to a case. My research partner is reaching out to authorities where McRae lived to determine if there are any unidentified remains. He has found several cases already."

"I've had one person accuse me of trying to make a quick book by bringing up the past,” Lypka said. “That is not my goal. My goal is to find those missing Florida boys and bring them home to their families. McRae is dead but there are still people who were close to him who may hold the key to solving these cases."

Christie Lypka will be at the Harrison District Library from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 7. If you have any information or knew John Rodney McRae or Martin McRae, please contact her at 734-645-0973 to set up a time to meet.