Son charged as adult in 'horrific' slaying

Teen did not have violent past

By Korie Wilkins and Stephen Frye - The Daily Oakland Press

Apr 27, 2005

ROCHESTER HILLS - Over and over again, 111 times, a teenager stabbed his mother in the head, neck and eyes, authorities say.

Why? No one knows for sure. Diane Michele, 50, had recently discovered that her son had been looking at pornographic and weapons-related Web sites. And Christopher Dankovich had also recently been in trouble in Bloomfield Hills after officers there caught him rattling the doors at a church-school.

But Christopher is a boy without a violent past, authorities say. The viciousness of the attack stunned investigators, who are at a loss as to why the 15-year-old - charged as an adult Tuesday with open murder - would kill in such a manner.

"This is one of the most horrific crime scenes (anyone) has ever seen," said Assistant Oakland County Prosecutor Kelly Chard.

The body of Michele, a certified hypnotherapist, minister and social worker who ran the HeartLight Metaphysical Center in Birmingham, was found by her mother at about 8 a.m. Monday. Michele was partially covered by a tarp in the foyer of her home at 3160 Palm Aire Drive in Rochester Hills.

Oakland County Sheriff's Office deputies found a blue-handled folding knife with blood and hair on it outside. They also found bloody clothes in the laundry room, blood droplets in the home and blood in sinks.

Missing was Christopher - a freshman at Adams High School - and Michele's white Chevrolet Astro van with the vanity plate LOVE 4 U.

Christopher was arrested Monday morning at his father's northern Michigan cabin in Roscommon County's Richfield Township.

The cabin, near Twin Lakes, had been a part of the couple's divorce settlement, going to the boy's father, James Dankovich, a chiropractor who is remarried and has a young daughter.

In the cabin, deputies found military and survival-type gear, Chard said. Christopher indicated to authorities that he had planned to drive south and go into hiding. He also said he knew authorities were there to arrest him because of his mother's murder, said Detective Dennis Finney, during a hearing in which he swore to the warrant against Christopher.

Richfield Township Police Chief Bradley Bannon said his officers went to the cabin, a year-round house, after being called by the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. They spotted the van and set up watch.

"We were able to secure the area without him knowing we were there," Bannon said.

Three hours later, supplied with a cell phone number from Oakland County detectives, Richfield police tried calling Christopher. When he didn't answer, they approached the house with a bullhorn, Bannon said.

"He did come out of the house and surrender," Bannon said. "It was the best outcome for us."

The boy had shaved his head at the cabin, cutting off hair he had recently died blue.

According to Chard, Christopher had been doing more than changing his hair color recently. He had been looking at pornographic Web sites and sites on how to make guns. The teenager had made guns, capable of firing projectiles, using PVC pipe, Chard said.

Despite the charges lodged against Christopher, several friends and family members gathered in Rochester Hills District Court Judge Nancy Tolwin Carniak's courtroom Tuesday afternoon to support the youth, said the boy's attorney Mitchell Ribitwer. None spoke to the media.

"He has excellent family support," Ribitwer said. "He is still loved."

One of Christopher's supporters yelled out "We love you, Chris." The teenager, sporting a maroon-colored shirt and navy slacks, turned his head and said softly, "I love you, too."

Carniak denied bond to Christopher, who will remain in custody until a May 17 preliminary examination. He faces life in prison if convicted of the open murder charge.

"He's very baffled and distraught," Ribitwer said.

Ribitwer, who was retained by Christopher's family, said he will likely request a psychiatric examination for his client. He said Christopher is a good kid who had never before been in trouble. Friends and family members say there was no indication that the youth had violent tendencies.

"I believe there are some mental health issues in this case," Ribitwer said. "It's out of the blue. There's no explanation for it."

But there were signs something was wrong. While staying at his father's Troy home on Saturday, Christopher cut a hole in the screen in his bedroom, tied sheets and clothing together and climbed down to the ground, authorities said. From there, he rode his bicycle to Bloomfield Hills where police caught him rattling the doors at St. Hugo of the Hills school on Hickory Grove.

Police, believing the boy was a runaway, returned Christopher to his father's home. James Dankovich took him to Michele's home Sunday afternoon, where there was a family meeting. Later Sunday, James Dankovich tried to call his ex-wife, but could not reach her. He contacted Michele's mother and asked her to check on the house Monday morning. She discovered the body and called police, telling them she believed Christopher was responsible because mother and son had been arguing recently, Finney said.

Ribitwer said there are no signs either parent abused Christopher.

The Dankoviches were married May 20, 1989, in Rochester. Christopher was their only child, born on Oct. 23, 1989. Michele filed for divorce in August of 1995 and it was finalized a year later.

Michele's divorce attorney said the couple's split was amicable.

"They really had a fabulous relationship coming out of the divorce, especially looking out for the best interest of the child," said Bloomfield Hills-based attorney James Elliott.

But initial court filings showed that Michele accused her husband of physical and verbal abuse.

With a maiden name of Diane O'Connor after the divorce, Christopher's mother changed her name to Diane Michele, according to court records. It is unclear why.

While both parents in their initial divorce filings sought custody of the child, Michele received physical custody but allowed visitation with his father. In August of 2000, Michele moved to the home on Palm Aire Drive.

Elliott said the news of the killing both amazed and saddened him. He said he remembers the young boy from visits to his office.

"(Michele) was just so close to him," Elliott said. "She was a genuinely good person. She wanted the best for her son, and so did the father, as I recall. I think he really had two very loving parents."

While friends and family are still reeling from Michele's untimely death, students who knew Christopher are also struggling to cope.

Adams High School students were sent home with letters Tuesday updating parents on general information about the killing and subsequent arrest.

"This tragic event has caused great anxiety and sadness to our school and community," Principal Diann Flack wrote.

On Monday, officials at Adams quickly determined that Christopher had not come to class. Flack also said in the letter that "heightened security was added in the building."

"It's a tragedy and we don't want to go overboard with it," said Adams senior Brandon Busuito. "We're just trying not to start rumors."

Senior Rachel Long said the word in school was that Christopher was quiet. His spiked blue hair, she said, did not appear until a dance last week. She was still dumbfounded at the savage attack.

"I don't understand what would possess someone to do that," she said. "It's really weird that someone in our school would do something like that."

Michele is survived by her son; parents Elaine and Nick Palmer and brother Dean (Susan) Palmer. Visitation will be from 2-9 p.m. Friday at the Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, 339 Walnut Blvd., in Rochester. Her funeral will be 1 p.m. Saturday at University Presbyterian Church, 1385 S. Adams Road in Rochester Hills.

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. -- A 15-year-old boy was brought back to Oakland County by a sheriff's department helicopter on Monday afternoon for questioning in his mother's death.

Oakland County Sheriff's deputies said Christopher Dankovich was taken into custody at his grandmother's cabin in Roscommon County, in northern lower Michigan.

Sheriff's deputies said the teen had been arguing with his mother, Diane Michele, a 50-year-old psychologist, over the past few days.

At some point Sunday night or Monday morning, Michele was stabbed to death, sheriff's deputies said. Michele's body was found by her mother on Monday morning in her home in the 3000 block of Palm Aire Drive in Rochester Hills, according to sheriff's deputies.

"There appears to be multiple stab wounds and we did find a knife or two in the area," said Oakland County Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard.

Dankovich, who does not have a license, was believed to have fled the home in his mother's white 1999 Chevrolet Astro van with a personalized plate that says LOVE4U, according to sheriff's deputies.

"We're checking every place we think. We'd like the public's help if they see this guy," said Bouchard.

Sheriff's deputies were concerned that the teen may be a threat to himself or to others, the station reported.

The 15-year-old was taken into custody without incident.