Abandoned Silo, Crime Scene of "The Co-ed Killer": Ypsilanti

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

For two years from July 1967 to July 1969, college co-eds from Eastern Michigan and the University of Michigan were shrouded in a cloud of fear – thanks to the series of murders that became one of Michigan's most notorious serial killer crime waves.

The killer was referred to as "The Co-Ed Killer," "The Michigan Murderer," "The Ypsilanti Killer" and "The Ypsilanti Ripper" but upon his arrest, his real name was revealed to be John Norman Collins. Within that two-year crime wave, he was eventually held responsible for seven murders and a good possibility of others – all his victims were female and no older than 21 years.

One of these murders took place at a farmhouse down the dirt road of LeForge, just north of Geddes Road. Looking at the area from a satellite view, all that's visible is the old silo, poking thru the top of the trees. Parking the car and traipsing thru the weeds, trees, and overgrowth, it's revealed that the silo is the only thing left standing.

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There are a few farm implements being taken over by weeds and bushes, old outbuildings that have been either knocked down or destroyed by time. The foundations of the farmhouse and barn are still visible. Some sources claim the house was a little ways down the road, but the silo was definitely part of the farm.

The photo gallery below takes you thru the overgrowth and onto the abandoned land. You'll also see the inside of the silo – with a lone chair sitting in the middle.

And, as with any good Michigan crime story, there follows rumors of a haunting. I am not going to get into that now, but you can read about it in an earlier article HERE.