Four Suspects Connected to Murder Of Troy Tyo

ALLEGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - There are now four people under arrest for the disappearance and murder of Troy Tyo. We have been following this case since last Monday when Tyo left for work and never came home.

A man led police to Tyo's missing truck this weekend in a ditch near Gobles. Police also found a body in the partially burned pickup. Two suspects in Tyo's death were in court Monday. Two others are in jail.

The two arraigned in court Monday were Tyo's ex wife and her husband. The two new arrests officers say Tyo didn't even know them.

A tearful family crowded into the courtroom Monday afternoon. Getting a look at Dena and Kris Thompson. The two people officers say crafted and executed a plan to murder Troy Tyo.

“This is one of the most disturbing cases I've worked,” said Lt. Scott Matice of the Allegan County Sheriff's Department.

Friends of Troy are in disbelief and shocked once over the murder itself. “It's absolutely an outrage,” said friend Rick Day.

When officers informed them just before Monday afternoon's arraignment. Two new arrests. Two people they say were friends of Kris and Dena. But people Troy never knew personally. “I know everybody however many it ends up being will be brought to justice,” said Day.

Justice is the thing neighbors are looking for too. “I hope they get everything they got coming to them,” said neighbor Jeff Smith

In the hearts of many are kids who got caught up in the middle of a sad story. Two children whose father was murdered and whose mother and stepfather are now in jail accused of the crime. “The kids lose both parents, it's a very sad situation,” said Smith

Officers said they believe that only one of the two people arraigned today were involved in the ditching of Tyo's truck. As for the two new suspects they will be in court tomorrow, and officers are saying that more arrests are possible.

There are several locations of interest in this case. First, Troy Tyo lives in Allegan and his truck was left in a ditch just southeast of Gobles. Secondly, both Tyo and one of the suspects, Kristofer Thompson, were co-workers at the Perrigo plant in Allegan.

According to records, Tyo and his ex-wife had been in court as recently as last month over a custody dispute. Since divorcing in 2006, they shared custody of their two daughters. According to filings from the case, Tyo was accused of slapping his daughter, 9, in the face last July during a family outing. This led to an investigation by child protective services. Tyo's attorney said the investigation was closed less than a month later with no charges against him.

During that time Thompson filed a motion seeking full custody of the couple's two daughters, and asking for child support from Tyo, according to Troy's attorney. That custody case was dismissed on Nov. 20th less than two weeks before Tyo went missing.

Investigators are not commenting on a motive for this murder, but they did tell us they are aware of the custody battle. In fact, Tyo's attorney says he met with detectives about this case.

Friends and family are also saying they believe the court fight could have been the spark that led to this crime. “It's traumatic and a terrible situation, and we're keeping the children first and foremost to get them as much professional help and love around them and hope for the best,” said Day.

As of Monday night Tyo's daughters are staying with family members.