Armada is a quaint and quiet village in Macomb County, Michigan, with less than two thousand residents. It’s most known for its country fair as well as the Halloween festival aptly named Armada-Geddon. In 2019, it was named the nicest place to live in Michigan. It’s the kind of area where people typically leave their doors unlocked and murder is something you hear about in the newspapers for big cities. But then one warm summer night, a tragedy took place along a picturesque recreational trail which would cause irreversible damage to the community. In the aftermath, the community bounded together to ensure that justice would be served.
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Audio Sources:
“raw 911 call in April Millsap murder”
“James VanCallis sentenced to life without parole in April Millsap murder”
“Bombshell in the Millsap murder trial”
“Jurors hear from police officer who found April Millsap’s body during trial”
“Family calls April Millsap’s dog a hero”
“Eyewitness testifies in April Millsap murder trial”
“Testimony resumes in April Millsap murder trial”
“Fitness App Helps Track Michigan Teen’s Killer – Pt. 1 – Crime Watch Daily”
Sources:
FOX – 2 WJBK, 24 July, 2014 – “Teenager’s Body Discovered in Wooded Area in Armada”
Associated Press, 25 July, 2014 – “14-Year-Old Girl Killed While Out with Dog”
The Grand Rapids Press, 4 May, 2014 – “She Went for A Walk. That’s It”
The Daily Tribune, 25 July, 2014 – “Police Identify Body of Armada Teen”
FOX – 2 WJBK, 25 July, 2014 – “FBI Joins the Search for Armada Teen’s Killer”
The Macomb Daily, 25 July, 2014 – “Community Mourns Death of Armada Girl”
Associated Press, 26 July, 2014 – “Police Seeking Tips in 14-Year-Old Girl’s Slaying”
The Daily Tribune, 26 July, 2014 – “Police to Update Media on Armada Teen Slaying Investigation”
Associated Press, 27 July, 2014 – “Sketch of Person of Interest in Girl’s Killing”
FOX – 2 WJBK, 28 July, 2014 – “Neighbors Tie Pink Ribbons to Remember Murdered Armada Teen”
The Daily Tribune, 29 July, 2014 – “Police Zeroing In on April Millsap’s Killer”
FOX – 2 WJBK, 30 July, 2014 – “Community Comes Together to Support Slain Armada Teen’s Family”
The Daily Tribune, 30 July, 2014 – “Two Men Busted on Drug Charges”
The Daily Tribune, 31 July, 2014 – “Police Probing April Millsap Murder in Armada Say Case Not Solved”
WIFN – 1330 AM, 1 August, 2014 – “Funeral for Murdered Teen April Millsap”
The Detroit News, 6 August, 2014 – “Slain Armada Teen Died of Head Trauma”
The Daily Tribune, 19 August, 2014 – “Person of Interest Named in April Millsap Murder Investigation”
The Detroit News, 20 August, 2014 – “Person of Interest in Armada Slaying Named”
The Macomb Daily, 22 September, 2014 – “Attorney Expects Drug Suspect to be Charged in Armada Teen’s Slaying”
Associated Press, 8 October, 2014 – “Man Charged in 14-Year-Old Michigan Girl’s Death”
The Daily Tribune, 8 October, 2014 – “Jailed Man Accused of Murdering April Millsap”
The Daily Tribune, 8 October, 2014 – “Armada Residents React to News of Charges”
The Daily Tribune, 9 October, 2014 – “Man Stalked, Killed Armada Teen After Being Rebuffed”
The Daily Tribune, 15 December, 2014 – “Witnesses, Cell Phone Data Place VanCallis with Millsap”
FOX – 2 WJBK, 15 December, 2014 – “Graphic Testimony Heard”
The Daily Tribune, 16 December, 2014 – “VanCallis Bound Over for Trial in the April Millsap Murder”
The Daily Tribune, 22 December, 2014 – “VanCAllis Moved to Mental Health Unit of Jail”
The Voice, 27 March, 2015 – “Plans for April Millsap Memorial Garden Halted”
The Detroit News, 13 May, 2015 – “Memorial Garden Unveiled for Slain Armada Teenager”
The Macomb Daily, 24 July, 2015 – “Armada Police Chief Recalls Night April Millsap’s Body Found”
The Macomb Daily, 24 July, 2015 – “Armada Community Helps Millsap Family Contend With Grief”
FOX 2 WJBK, 20 January, 2016 – “Murder Trial in Death of April Millsap Begins”
The Daily Tribune, 21 January, 2016 – “Trial of Accused April Millsap Murderer is a Who Did It”
The Daily Tribune, 21 January, 2016 – “Motorcycle Tip Led Police to VanCallis Arrest”
FOX – 2 WJBK, 22 January, 2016 – “911 Call of Man Who Found April Millsap’s Body Played in Court”
The Macomb Daily, 22 January, 2016 – “VanCallis Jurors Hear 911 Recording”
The Daily Tribune, 26 January, 2016 – “VanCallis Murder Trial”
The Detroit News, 27 January, 2016 – “VanCallis Looked Scared When Greeted”
The Daily Tribune, 28 January, 2016 – “VanCallis Wears Motorcycle Helmet in Trial”
The Daily Tribune, 28 January, 2016 – “VanCallis, Millsap Very Strange Together on Trail”
The Macomb Daily, 2 February, 2016 – “VanCallis Brother Helps Show Prosecution’s Time Line”
FOX – 2WJBK, 3 February, 2016 – “Despite Lack of DNA, Judge Refuses to Dismiss VanCallis Murder Trial”
The Daily Tribune, 5 February, 2016 – “VanCallis Jury Fails to Return Verdict”
Associated Press, 30 March, 2016 – “Man Convicted of Killing Girl Along Trail Gets Life Sentence”
