Hazel Park man Cleo Lawson, accused of stabbing his sister’s boyfriend to death over cooking chicken, is denied bond

A 62-year-old Michigan man allegedly stabbed his sister’s boyfriend to death during an argument over how to cook chicken, police said.

Cleo Lawson, 62, was charged with second-degree murder following the fatal Hazel Park confrontation, according to prosecutors.

On September 7, 2026, officers responded around 5:20 p.m. to a reported stabbing in the 1600 block of East Granet Avenue, police said.

Responding officers found 60-year-old Kenneth Erwin Thomas suffering from life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. They attempted to treat the wounded man, but he died at the scene, police said.

Thomas lived at the East Granet Avenue residence with his girlfriend, police said.

The couple had been hosting a barbecue when her brother arrived at the home, according to investigators.

During the gathering, Thomas and Lawson allegedly began arguing over how the chicken was supposed to be cooked, investigators said.

The disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation, police said.

Lawson allegedly stabbed Thomas during the altercation, according to authorities.

Officials have not publicly disclosed how many times Thomas was stabbed or where he was wounded. They have also not stated what type of weapon was used in the fatal attack, police said.

Officers took the suspect into custody at the scene, police said.

Prosecutors subsequently charged Lawson with one count of second-degree murder.

Authorities have not publicly revealed any prior conflict between Thomas and Lawson. They have also not said whether anything beyond the chicken argument led to the fatal confrontation, police said.

On September 10, 2026, Lawson was arraigned on the murder charge, court records show.

Bond was denied, and the defendant was ordered held in jail while the case continues.

Lawson is scheduled to return to court on September 22, 2026, for a probable cause conference.