The community of Lake County is on high alert as convicted killer and registered sex offender Scott Grant walks free after serving four decades in prison.
Grant, now 58, was originally convicted for the brutal death of 17-year-old Michelle Hayes in 1985.
His release has reignited pain for the victim’s family and raised concerns about public safety.
Michelle Hayes, a student at Mentor High School, was attacked after rejecting Grant’s sexual advances.
Grant, along with a 16-year-old accomplice, beat and dismembered her before burying her body in a neighbor’s strawberry patch.
While the accomplice has since passed away, Grant served a 40-year sentence at the Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Conneaut.
Dawn Hayes, Michelle’s sister, expressed deep anguish over Grant’s release.
“It’s a nightmare that you never wake up from, ever. She is terribly missed, even to this day,” Dawn said.
She criticized the justice system for a mistrial that prevented a life sentence, arguing that Grant’s crimes demanded far harsher punishment.
The victim’s niece, Lauren Godec, also shared her frustration.
“We’ll keep fighting every chance we get. You want to be at peace, and you’re not because you’re constantly fighting to keep someone behind bars who deserves to be there for life,” Godec explained.
Online court records confirm that Grant must register as a sex offender, but the family warns the public that he is now a free man.
Dawn Hayes advised community members to stay vigilant and use available resources, such as free apps, to monitor nearby sex offenders.
John Whited, a former classmate of Michelle, emphasized her good character.
“I don’t think anybody could say anything bad about her,” he said.
He added that the thought of Grant living freely in the community is deeply unsettling.
As the Lake County community processes the reality of the Lake County killer’s freedom, Hayes’ family hopes sharing Michelle’s story will protect others and prevent future tragedies.
