Photo courtesy of WNEM.com.

2 Men Arrested and Charged with Deer Hunter’s Murder

Two men were arrested and charged in connection with the 2018 murder of a Michigan deer hunter after texts they sent each other were discovered by investigators. Thomas Olson, 34 of Grand Blanc Township, Michigan and Robert Rodway, 34 of Saint Johns, Michigan, were arrested on Dec. 21 by the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team for the cold case homicide of Chong Moua Yang, 68, according to a press release by the Michigan Department of Attorney General. The men were arraigned with Felony Murder and Felony Firearm.

Chong Yang, 68, was murdered while deer hunting in Michigan five years ago. Photo courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In November 2018, Yang was hunting in Rose Lake State Park in Bath Township, Michigan. He hunted there frequently, and when he did not return home, his wife and family went to search for him. They found his car in the parking lot and followed two sets of footprints that led them to the his body.

Police found the victim lying facedown with a gunshot wound to the head. A plastic bag with hunting spray found near the scene as well as witness testimony helped police locate Olson and Rodway. Attorney General Dana Nessel says the defendants killed Yang while hunting and stole his backpack, headlamp, knife and shotgun.

After the murder, Yang’s children launched a social media campaign called #OrangeJustice seeking information about their father’s death. Many people came forward from around the country to support the family, especially in the Hmong American community Yang is from.

The defendants had a probable cause conference on Jan. 5 and a preliminary hearing on Jan. 12. Both defendants remain in jail with no bond offered. They face up to life in prison with no possibility of parole if they are convicted. Olson and Rodway are scheduled for preliminary examination March 21–23 to determine whether the defendants should stand trial.

Yang’s family released the following statement after the arrest announcement:

“For the last four years, we have struggled with the knowledge that someone out there decided to end Chong Moua’s life and leave him to die alone in the woods. But today, Thursday, December 22, 2022, marks the first day that we can come up for a little fresh air.

“With the arrest of two men, Thomas Olson and Robert Rodway comes bittersweet emotions of excitement and anxiousness. We admit that during these last four years of the investigation, there were times when we were angry, frustrated, and impatient with the whole process. But…we never lost hope.

“We never lost hope that through the diligent effort of Bath Township, the FBI, and numerous other agencies, we would be able to find answers. We never lost hope that someone, somewhere would be able to provide information that would lead to the arrest of these killers. Today is the start of the journey to finding answers and closure. We start that journey of holding the people who killed Chong Moua responsible for their actions.

“We want to thank the law enforcement community for their commitment to this case. The hunting community for their unwavering support for one of their hunting brothers. And the community as a whole, those near and far, for all their love and support during the darkest time in our lives.

“We know that the arrests are only the first steps in this chapter, but are encouraged that the Attorney General’s office will pursue this matter diligently, and bring these men to justice.”

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