TRAVERSE CITY -- The suspect facing Open Murder charges in the death of 16-year-old Carly Lewis is in jail awaiting official arraignment on the charges.
Family members tell 7 & 4 News the suspect is Robert Jensen Schwander, 17, of Traverse City. Schwander is the son of a Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Deputy.
He is scheduled to be in court to face the murder charges Thursday at 8:30 AM.
The Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office released this statement in regards to the tragedy:
This tragic event has taken from this community a family member and friend of many people.
Our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the Lewis family. This is especially difficult for the Sheriff’s Office because of the relationship of the suspect in this incident with one of our officers and, because of the business we are in. The department as a whole is supportive in whatever way possible to the family of the officer, not unlike any other company or business would act in a similar situation.
The officer is currently on scheduled days off and administrative leave to provide him the time needed to be with his family.
Reporter Lauren Amstutz sat down with Carly's mom Wednesday to talk about the case and Carly's relationship with the suspect. Susie Ooley-Lewis said the family is taking it day by day but is thankful for all of the community support during this tragic time. Ooley-Lewis also commented on her feelings about the suspect in her daughter's murder, Robert Jensen Schwander.
"It's mixed emotions. It was a boy I cared about and brought into my home and I feel for him. I think he needed help and didn't get it," said Ooley'-Lewis. "But I'm very angry it went down the way it did."
7&4 News spoke with Attorney Clarence Gomery Wednesday morning and was told he will be representing the teenager. Gomery was heading to the jail to speak with Schwander at the time.
We will update this story as more details are released on this murder case. Stay tuned to 7&4 News at 5 and 6 for further updates.
