Man Convicted in Girlfriend's Murder

A Highland Township man, Michael Webb, has been found guilty of first-degree murder and felony firearm in connection with his girlfriend Rachel Wooten's death. The verdict was delivered by a Sixth Circuit Court jury. Webb is scheduled for sentencing on October 7. Prosecutors stated that Webb shot Wooten in the neck at close range on April 15, 2025, subsequently claiming he was cleaning his weapon. Authorities noted that Wooten had communicated her fear for her life to a family member on the day she was killed. The couple resided together and had a 6-month-old child, who was discovered unharmed in the home following the incident.

Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald emphasized the tragedy of the event, stating that Webb executed Wooten in front of their child. She highlighted that domestic violence remains a significant threat, leading to serious injury or death for young women and that more resources are needed to protect victims and prevent such occurrences. Statistics indicate that intimate partner violence is linked to over half of female homicides where circumstances are known.