LANSING, Mich (WLNS) – “He was the backbone of our family.,” says Barbara Holliman, Matthew’s mother. “Him not being here is such a loss.. I can’t tell you the hurt that’s felt daily.”
It’s been nearly a year since Mathew Douglas Straub was found shot to death inside his home in the 600 block of Fenton Street in south Lansing.
His mother Barbara and wife Sharika say since April 23, 2015, not a day goes by that they don’t miss Mathew or grieve for his sons who now have to grow up without a father.
“It’s gonna be hard. Tthey miss their dad very much,” explains Sharika Straub. “And my son sleeps with a picture of him and his dad when he was in preschool.”
Mathew’s younger brother Justin wants nothing more than to see his brother’s killer brought to justice.
“He was my best friend, my dad in a way,” said Justin Straub.”He was everything to me, he was everything. He truly was. He was the glue for our family.”
After months of interviewing witnesses and following up on tips Lansing Police say there still isn’t a lot to go on.
The lead detective on the case says one thing is for sure: The fatal shooting wasn’t random.
“I believe this was a targeted robbery,” explains Det. Brad St. Aubin of the Lansing Police. “The victim in this case was legally growing marijuana in his residence and unfortunately criminals are targeting those people.”
Mathew’s mom Barbara is heartbroken. The pain of her son’s murder is still very visible, wishing every day that she had one more moment with her son.
“It was the worst day of my life, it took everything out of me,” she says. “You know, I wanted to tell him how proud I was of him, how much I loved him, how much I would miss him. I would really like to tell him that.” .
If you have any information about the murder of Mathew Douglas Straub call Crime Stoppers at 517-483-STOP.
There’s up to a $1000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this homicide.
Remember, you can remain anonymous.
