This is great news! This was one of those cases where, in my opinion, it was so obvious she was killed by her husband. Maybe now Bonnie's family can get some justice.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/man-whose-wife-disappeared-22-years-ago-arrested/34903264

Raise your hand if you're surprised....

*crickets*
*crickets*

Yeah, I thought so. :)

I'm glad he's arrested, but this was the case where the victim's relatives believed Michael was innocent. Wonder what they'll have to say now.

Wow, I remember when these remains were found back in December, I was initially skeptical that they would be Bonnie because her father stated that the pool had been built several years before Bonnie even disappeared. His comments were quite sad because he sounded like he was still holding out hope his daughter was alive somewhere and really didn't want to accept that she was dead (which probably explains his strange decision to defend Michael on the original UM broadcast), but now it's official :( .

But I'm glad this case is now solved and that we'll finally have justice. It's definitely a preferable result to guilty-looking husbands like Stephen Marfeo and Rob Page dying before the remains of their missing wives could be found.

Michael is a moron for burying her literally in his backyard.

This is great news! This was one of those cases where, in my opinion, it was so obvious she was killed by her husband. Maybe now Bonnie's family can get some justice.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/man-whose-wife-disappeared-22-years-ago-arrested/34903264

I just came her to post this! :)

I just came her to post this! :)

Me too. I knew Michael had killed her, and that she was indeed dead all this time. His aunt that both he and Bonnie worked for was flat-out convinced that Michael killed Bonnie, and now we know it's true. That poor son of theirs, having to witness his mother's murder and help cover it up, and growing up without his mother who loved him dearly. Aaron has suffered enough. May peace and closure come to Bonnie's family, and everyone else who loved and cared about her.

I'm wondering if Michael's parents are going to be investigated as well. In Aaron's civil suit against Michael, he alleged that his grandparents helped his father cover up Bonnie's death.

A guy who rented the home from Michael in the late 90's stated that Michael forbade him from making any changes to the backyard, like planting flowers:
http://www.news4jax.com/news/former-renter-i-believe-she-was-buried-there/30247692

I knew it. So glad he has been arrested! This brings me hope that one day they will find Christi Nichols.

I knew it. So glad he has been arrested! This brings me hope that one day they will find Christi Nichols.

Me too. They should open Christi's case again and try to find her remains and question people again. She has kids that wonder where their mother ever went to and what became of her, and they should have closure.

'Bout damn time!!!!!! Justice!

This is great news. It is sad to know conclusively that Bonnie is dead (though honestly, who is surprised?), but I'm glad they were able to nab Michael.

I wonder what Bonnie's father has to say. I don't want to knock the guy, because I feel that he was probably in denial and wanted to believe his daughter was still alive. Michael's aunt was spot on correct.

Great news!

A little odd that based off of the evidence they had prior to the remains being found that they still didn't have enough for an arrest. I wonder if the fact that Bonnie's dad continued to believe she was alive and wasn't pressuring LE to make an arrest took some of the heat off of Michael.

I'm wondering if Michael's parents are going to be investigated as well. In Aaron's civil suit against Michael, he alleged that his grandparents helped his father cover up Bonnie's death.

This quote from a 2016 article is kind of chilling....

Fraser (Haim's son) had claimed for years that he witnessed his mother's murder as a young child. In an interview with detectives earlier this year, he told the investigator that his family didn’t believe him and his grandparents told him, “You’re brainwashed. We love you. We care about you. We want to see you.”

It seems obvious that the grandparents knew the truth and they were covering for their son.

I watched this segment last night and I compare it to the Wendy Camp segment, where the killer refuses to be interviewed and despite not appearing on camera, you just KNOW they are guilty as sin. I'm so glad he's locked up.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/jacksonville/it-was-son-who-found-remains-of-woman-killed-23-year-ago

This quote from a 2016 article is kind of chilling....

Fraser (Haim's son) had claimed for years that he witnessed his mother's murder as a young child. In an interview with detectives earlier this year, he told the investigator that his family didn’t believe him and his grandparents told him, “You’re brainwashed. We love you. We care about you. We want to see you.”

It seems obvious that the grandparents knew the truth and they were covering for their son.

I watched this segment last night and I compare it to the Wendy Camp segment, where the killer refuses to be interviewed and despite not appearing on camera, you just KNOW they are guilty as sin. I'm so glad he's locked up.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/jacksonville/it-was-son-who-found-remains-of-woman-killed-23-year-ago

Ew. That's beyond awful.

Ew. That's beyond awful.

Yes. As of January 2017, Michael Haim wanted his son's statements blocked from the trial. (The judge was going to take a few weeks to decide but I couldn't find any update.) He's trying to claim the son gave conflicting statements on whether he saw the murder. But he conveniently has no explanation as to how the remains turned up buried in his backyard. :rolleyes:

https://www.news4jax.com/news/man-accused-of-killing-wife-appears-in-court

As of this past summer, Haim was allowed to go back to North Carolina (after posting $200,000 bail) to live with his wife until the trial begins.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/man-accused-of-killing-wife-allowed-to-move-back-to-north-carolina

That horrifying Bonnie's son was the one who found her remains. I can't imagine how traumatizing that must have been, especially after witnessing her murder at a young age.

I think it's disgusting that Michael is allowed to stay out on bail until the trial. I hope this isn't another Ira Einhorn situation in the making.:rolleyes:

I've been researching this case more and more lately now that Michael Haim is finally facing murder charges. (Though it really annoys me that a judge let him move back to North Carolina to live with his wife until the trial starts.) I'm knocking on wood when I say this but I believe that Haim will be given a very deserving murder sentence when all is said and done. But something that's getting lost in this is his parents, who I believe helped him in covering up the crime. I fear they won't receive any punishment.

I was reading about Bonnie and Michael's son Aaron and his wrongful death suit against his father. It happened in 2005 when Aaron was just 15. As a result, he was awarded 15.3 million dollars and another 11 million dollars to Bonnie's estate. Two years prior as an 8th grader, Aaron wrote an essay in school about how his father killed his mother and implicated his father and grandparents in getting rid of the body. He wrote...

"I was inside the house looking out the window at my mom and dad," Aaron wrote. "I was standing on my tippy toes. I watched as he shot her. I thought to myself, 'No, don't shoot her! That's my mom!' "

Aaron goes on to describe how his father took off his mother's jewelry, put her in the car, threw the gun in a creek and went to bury her.

https://www.questia.com/newspaper/1G1-132011652/wrongful-death-award-in-millions-the-lawsuit-is-in

After the wrongful death suit, the grandparents released a statement claiming their innocence and their son's innocence. They have claimed for years that Aaron has been brainwashed and they have desperately tried to convince Aaron himself that he was brainwashed. But who would brainwash him? If Bonnie's father is any indication, her family relied on years of denial and claimed that Bonnie had to have run off and abandoned her family. If they truly believed that or even wanted to believe that, what would be the point of brainwashing Aaron in to thinking that his father killed his mother? It makes no sense.

These people disgust me. A stupid obviously guilty man, his stupid parents and burying a body on their own property. This case is basically the Beverly Noe/Ida Prewitt saga minus the hillbilly factor. And I hope these people pay dearly.

These people disgust me. A stupid obviously guilty man, his stupid parents and burying a body on their own property. This case is basically the Beverly Noe/Ida Prewitt saga minus the hillbilly factor. And I hope these people pay dearly.

Wow, these allegations about Michael's parents are even more interesting when you consider that his aunt, Eveann, went on UM and did not hesitate to express her belief that Michael was guilty. Something tells me Eveann did not get along well with the rest of her family. Maybe she was the one who "brainwashed" Aaron :rolleyes: .

Wow, these allegations about Michael's parents are even more interesting when you consider that his aunt, Eveann, went on UM and did not hesitate to express her belief that Michael was guilty. Something tells me Eveann did not get along well with the rest of her family. Maybe she was the one who "brainwashed" Aaron :rolleyes: .

It would be interesting to know who ended up raising Aaron. At the time of the UM broadcast in 1996, Stack mentioned that custody of him was in litigation. And another article I read online said that Michael officially lost custody of him in 1999 when Aaron was 9. But in the end, it doesn't really matter. Because Aaron has maintained that he saw this at 3 years of age. UM even showed a portion of the tape where he says this to the child psychologists while coloring.

Regarding Michael's family, I get the impression that only his parents are in his corner. The UM segment mentioned that other family members (not just Eveann) believed Michael was involved and that Bonnie was planning to leave him even after Michael forced her to close that secret bank account.

However, I believe Eveann will be one of the most important witnesses at the trial since she worked with Bonnie and Michael and witnessed the daily abuse he put her through. She was the last to talk with Bonnie on the phone before she disappeared and witnessed firsthand Michael's lack of worry over his wife being missing...and the fact that he never even bothered to call the police. :rolleyes:

Michael Haim's trial is scheduled for October 2018, according to Bonnie's sister. It had been postponed twice since last year.

Michael Haim's trial is scheduled for October 2018, according to Bonnie's sister. It had been postponed twice since last year.

So apparently Michael's trial was supposed to start yesterday, Oct. 8, 2018. But I don't see any information about it online. And I'm having trouble loading the Facebook page Bonnie's family set up for updates.

I hope the trial wasn’t postponed yet again.

So apparently Michael's trial was supposed to start yesterday, Oct. 8, 2018. But I don't see any information about it online. And I'm having trouble loading the Facebook page Bonnie's family set up for updates.

I hope the trial wasn’t postponed yet again.

It was.

The new and hopefully final trial dates will be: Jury selection on December 3 and Trial from December 4 - 7 or until completed.

It would be interesting to know who ended up raising Aaron. At the time of the UM broadcast in 1996, Stack mentioned that custody of him was in litigation. And another article I read online said that Michael officially lost custody of him in 1999 when Aaron was 9. But in the end, it doesn't really matter. Because Aaron has maintained that he saw this at 3 years of age. UM even showed a portion of the tape where he says this to the child psychologists while coloring.

Per the Unsolved wikia he went with a foster family and was adopted by them in 1999. Aaron also identified the location where his father threw a shotgun off a bridge, which was later recovered. So, I'd argue his childhood recollection is worthy of admission in court.

It looks as though Bonnie's family members have been punched in the emotional gut yet again as Michael's trial has now been postponed for the 5th time.

From their family Facebook account...

Postponements have happened so often now, that we should be used to it. But this time is the hardest. We were ready mentally, physically and in every way possible for the trial to start. However, we have just learned that the trial has been postponed for the 5th time. The new trial date is the week of April 8th.

When I first found out, I was so angry that I just couldn't speak to anyone. Now I just feel like someone has knocked the wind out of me.

https://www.news4jax.com/news/jury-selection-begins-for-michael-haim

Jury selection is underway finally!

Opening statements started today, plus among others, the son testified how he found his mother’s skull.

The defense (so far) is doing what I thought they would, claiming Aaron at 3 years old wouldn't know the difference between reality and fiction.

I have to wonder how even the best defense in the world is going to be able to explain Bonnie's remains being buried in Michael's own backyard.

https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20190409/trial-in-bonnie-haim-death-begins-as-prosecutors-accuse-husband-of-1993-jacksonville-murder

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/04/09/bonnie-haim-trial-boy-saw-moms-death-digs-up-body/3417561002/

The defense (so far) is doing what I thought they would, claiming Aaron at 3 years old wouldn't know the difference between reality and fiction.

I have to wonder how even the best defense in the world is going to be able to explain Bonnie's remains being buried in Michael's own backyard.
[
If you wanted to frame the "obvious" suspect, would that not be the easiest way to do so? If you knew he was away for a day or two, you could easily swoop in and bury it dressed as a construction or utility worker. Not that I believe that in this case but it's a possibility.

For the record, I remember things from age 3 far better than age 33. I can even very clearly remember specfic paint colors, floor tiles, smells, etc. and was definitely not imagining it because I was able to verify it as an adult many years later. I believe the son and that his father is guilty.

Poor Aaron must have been beyond shocked! Originally he had seen his father take his mother to the river and believed she had been buried near there. He must have had no idea she would be on the premises!

Similar case involving a 5-year-old: https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Memory-of-Slaying-Kept-Secret-for-29-Years-3036114.php

Similar case. Not unsolved, but for years no one in Brandon Lafferty's family would talk to him about his father's murder which occurred when Brandon was only two, hoping he would remember none of it. Sadly, he was haunted by the memory of his father being shot.

https://law.justia.com/cases/mississippi/supreme-court/1988/551-so-2d-77-0.html

Paul Pollis still wins the prize for disposing of Charlotte elsewhere or at least her not being found yet.

Wow closing arguments already? I haven't watched any of this trial as I've been watching the even longer-awaited McStay Family murder trial (or listening at this point). Why such a short trial?

Paul Pollis still wins the prize for disposing of Charlotte elsewhere or at least her not being found yet.

Stephen Marfeo gets a nod too

Michael Haim has been found guilty of second-degree murder: https://www.news4jax.com/news/michael-haim-guilty-verdict-justice-for-everyone-who-loved-bonnie-

Michael Haim has been found guilty of second-degree murder: https://www.news4jax.com/news/michael-haim-guilty-verdict-justice-for-everyone-who-loved-bonnie-

Wonderful! His sentence will be handed next month.

You can watch video of his reaction when the verdict was read but like throughout the whole trial, there was no emotion. I think he must have known for a while that there was no way he wasn't going to be found guilty. Good riddance.

Bonnie's family had to wait through 5 postponements to finally get this trial started. I'm happy they have received the justice they have needed for 25 years.

Michael Haim has been found guilty of second-degree murder: https://www.news4jax.com/news/michael-haim-guilty-verdict-justice-for-everyone-who-loved-bonnie-

I don't think anyone believed this case would be solved when it first aired on Unsolved Mysteries.

The son's testimony against Michael did him in, IMO. Usually when someone is accused of murder, the children of the accused usually defends their parent. This was one of the times where this was the opposite.

This has to be one of the most satisfying post-verdict mugshots ever...

https://media.firstcoastnews.com/assets/WTLV/images/f97312cb-8690-4b7a-8e0b-31d2aa9c61b9/f97312cb-8690-4b7a-8e0b-31d2aa9c61b9_750x422.jpg

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/crime/new-mugshot-of-michael-haim-released-after-he-was-found-guilty-of-killing-his-wife-in-1993/77-77dc1047-d5f3-4e75-8a3a-9689435a1682

My inaugural post.

This case will be featured on Dateline tonight!

Just saw the Dateline episode. Two of the people interviewed by Dateline were interviewed on Unsolved Mysteries: Detective Robert Hinson and
Eveann Haim. The rest of the people interviewed were Bonnie's sisters, Eveann's husband, her mother, Aaron (of course), the child psychologist who talked to Aaron all those years ago and Aaron's adoptive mother.

Unbelievable that a guy buries his wife in his backyard, and acts like someone else buried her there.