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Crime Stoppers: Error In Judgement Led To Misleading Public About Missing Woman

DETROIT (WWJ) - The head of Crime Stoppers is apologizing after an apparent lie to the public about a missing woman.

President of Crime Stoppers John Broad says he did not know that Lisa Maison was dead when the call went out to find her. But at least one member of his staff did; he says it was a case of mistaken judgement.

Reportedly a detective and the family of the deceased woman, and a member of Crime Stoppers thought a potential witness believed to be one of the last to see Maison alive might be more likely to come forward if he didn't know she had died.

As WWJ's Sandra McNeill reports...police were aware the woman had been murdered.

"The detective was most anxious and the family was most anxious and they came up with this process where they thought the cab driver might have information and their hope was that the cab driver would talk," said Broad.

Broad says he has put into place written procedures to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

"There's going to be written procedure - that we will make clear - never ever do anything except the absolute truth."

Broad emphasized that he hopes members of the media and the public realize this was something that happened but will not happen again. "For years and years - we have made sure we gave accurate information."

Detroit's police chief has not returned calls for comment.

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