Michigan: Man murdered after meeting attackers on Grindr

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A 71-year-old man was murdered last month in the US state of Michigan, having met one of the suspects on gay dating app Grindr, according to testimony from a police detective.

It’s claimed David Maurer was strangled to death in his apartment in the city of Ann Arbor, 45 miles west of Detroit, on 23 November. However, his body wasn’t found until 1 December.

Three men, Rikky Ranger, 20, Mark Paling 19, and Richard Thompson, 19, who are allegedly homeless began using the app to have sex with and rob gay men.

Ranger reportedly met Mr Maurer several weeks prior and the two had “gone out a couple times.”

On 23 November, Mr Maurer was seen on surveillance video walking to his apartment with the three assailants.

Once inside, medical reports claim the men smoked marijuana and drank alcohol while Ranger and Paling had sex with Maurer. Shortly after, Thompson choked Maurer to death while his friends stole a gun, some cash, and prescription pills.

Before leaving, Mr Maurer was kicked and punched several times in the face.

The men faces charges of open murder, unarmed robbery, conspiracy to commit unarmed robbery, larceny in a building and larceny of a firearm.

All three are being held in custody.