The individual who the Michigan Attorney General’s office believes murdered 16-year-old Eric McGinnis on May 17, 1991 in St. Joseph has been named. The attorney general’s office says, “The main suspect who is believed to have committed this murder is Curtis Pitts.” It says several youths were seen chasing McGinnis the night McGinnis disappeared. A witness said they saw some them them, including Pitts, pursue McGinnis on to the south pier. It’s alleged Pitts kicked McGinnis while on the pier, causing McGinnis to fall into the water. Three teens were later seen to be soaking wet, and Pitts later told another witness they had gone into the water in an attempt to fish McGinnis out. Pitts allegedly threatened some of the witnesses. Pitts committed suicide in 2003 and therefore cannot be charged. The death of Eric McGinnis was initially determined to be accidental. The investigation was reopened last year when a new witness came forward to media. The attorney general said Tuesday the death was a murder.
