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Ann Arbor police began their investigation into Paul's death on the morning on July 24. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

After more than three months of investigation, Ann Arbor police arrested three people in connection with the death of University of Michigan medical student Paul DeWolf.

Paul DeWolf

Ann Arbor police Detective Lt. Robert Pfannes said police arrested three suspects on Thursday. It's unclear at this point when they will be formally charged.

"After an intensive investigation, the Ann Arbor Police Department has made three arrests. No other suspects are believed to be outstanding," a statement read. "There does not appear to be any previous affiliation between the suspects and Paul DeWolf nor any connection with the University of Michigan or the U.S. Air Force."

Pfannes said no more information would be released Thursday and the suspects wouldn't be identified until arraignment.



"The suspects have not yet been charged and detectives are continuing to gather evidence and build the case," the statement from Ann Arbor police read. "More information will be released regarding the suspects' identities once they have been arraigned."



DeWolf was found dead about 11:30 a.m. July 24 at the Phi Rho Sigma medical fraternity, 220 N. Ingalls St. in Ann Arbor. The 25-year-old Schoolcraft, Mich., native was shot once in the neck.

A friend discovered him in his basement room of the home. DeWolf was scheduled to work a shift at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, but never showed up. His friend, who worked that morning, was sent to check on DeWolf after he didn't call or notify anyone of his absence.

The discovery of DeWolf’s body led to a manhunt that involved state and federal investigators. Search warrants were served and police interviewed many people in connection to the case.

DeWolf’s death appears to have been the result of a home invasion gone wrong.

Early on in the investigation, police said nothing appeared to be stolen and the room did not appear out of order when DeWolf was found. No weapon was found.

Pfannes declined to release any more information other than what was in a statement from the AAPD Thursday.

DeWolf was reservist second lieutenant in the United States Air Force and was set to graduate from U-M in May. After graduation, he was going to join the service.

The graduate of Grand Valley State University was an avid runner, competing in cross-country in high school, and was considered a brilliant student by his peers. He was known as a jokester, a devoted friend and a loving brother and son.

Thom DeWolf, Paul’s father, said he was overwhelmed when reached by telephone Thursday night.

“It’s overwhelming to know there’s finally going to be a light at the end of this horrible, long, dark tunnel,” he said.

DeWolf praised detectives and the rest of the AAPD. He said the DeWolf family had grown close to investigators during the past three months and were in constant contact in the last day as the arrests drew near.

In September, during an interview with The Ann Arbor News, the DeWolf family mentioned how much an arrest would mean to bring some closure to Paul’s death.

On Thursday, Thom DeWolf said the healing process can truly get going now.

Thom DeWolf said it was relieving to know his son didn’t know the suspects, even if the incident is terrible in its seemingly randomness.

“The fact that … it was nobody Paul knew, and no one we’re going to know, that was huge,” he said. “There’s always the concern of who is it, who did it, is it someone we know?”

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman and other officials issued statements Thursday evening praising the work of police.

“We are grateful for the determined work of the Ann Arbor Police Department and the University of Michigan Police Department in identifying and arresting suspects in this senseless act of violence," Coleman's statement said.

U-M police Chief Joseph Piersante's statement acknowledged the collaboration between departments.

"Our thanks to Chief John Seto for the collaborative investigation that included the involvement of several U-M police officers," the chief's statement said. "While we all should remain vigilant for our personal safety, thanks to the efforts of these officers, we know that our streets are a little bit safer and that justice will be served.”

The U-M Health System also issued a statement Thursday.

"We trust his family will draw comfort from this development, and that closure will ensue for them, our Medical School community and the broader Health System," the statement said. "We will continue to provide support to our students, faculty and staff as the judicial process unfolds."

The statement thanked all the detectives and officers who worked on the case, along with all the other departments who helped. He said the AAPD was assisted by University of Michigan Police, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the FBI and the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office.



The case meant a lot to the department's detectives and much of that was because of the DeWolf family.



"Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the DeWolf Family," the AAPD statement read. "We would also like to thank Mr. and Mrs. DeWolf for their support of the Ann Arbor Police Department throughout this investigation. Their strength and their faith have inspired all who have worked on this case."

Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for The Ann Arbor News. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@mlive.com or you can follow him on Twitter. Find all Washtenaw County crime stories here.