Murdered man remembered

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Investigators are working to unravel a murder mystery in Kalamazoo, and on Friday we're learning more about the victim.

Police say a man's body was found inside the trunk of an abandoned car. That man has been identified as 51-year-old Troy Maurice Scott.

Police say Scott was dead inside the car's trunk, sitting in the driveway of a vacant home on Gibson Street. Neighbors say the car was there for several days before police found the body.

Newschannel 3 did some digging and found out that Scott has quite a past. Since Scott's body was found, police have released next to know information about the victim, and less about his murder.

Court documents show that Scott has a long criminal past, including malicious destruction of property, resisting and obstructing an officer, felony firearm, and he was charged three times with manufacturing and delivering marijuana. Despite that history, many in his Galesburg neighborhood defend Scott.

“I don't believe that he sold, I believe that he smoked marijuana, he was not afraid to say that,” said Cassandra Duchesneau, Scott's neighbor.

Cassandra and her family say Scott was a kind, gentle man who built several of the homes in the neighborhood. Scott even bought their son, J.E. many of the toys he plays with.

“I watch movies with Troy, I go fishing, I go see his boat,” said J.E. Duchesneau.

The family says Scott became even closer when J.E.'s grandfather died in 2008.

“He asked Troy if he would then be his granddad, and kind of melted Troy's heart, and he said how could you say no to something like that,” said Pete Duchesneau.

The Duchesneau's have not told J.E. that the man he knew as grandpa Troy is now gone as well. They hope to tell him in the next few days.

In the meantime they're hoping that police will be able to find who is responsible for killing him.

Police are looking for help in solving Scott's murder. Anyone with information is asked to contact KDPS at 269-337-8994 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.