Ex-Con Charged with Killing 84-Year-Old Novi Woman

Peter Gerard Jones, 46, is thought to be responsible for the homicide of an 84-year-old woman whose body police found inside her Novi home Monday afternoon.

Jones was the key suspect in Bernice Irene Schaufele's death. The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office issued a two-count complaint and warrant charging Jones with homicide – murder first degree – premeditated and homicide – felony murder, a news release said. A conviction for either charge carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole. 

At about 2:43 p.m. Monday, Novi police received a 911 call regarding an unresponsive woman in the 20900 block of West Glen Haven Circle in the Country Place condominium complex, north of Eight Mile Road and west of Meadowbrook Road in Novi. Upon arrival, police and fire department personnel discovered Schaufele dead in her home. An autopsy performed by the Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Schaufele died from asphyxia and stabbing and the manner of death to be homicide, police said.

Jones is currently on parole through the State of Michigan for manslaughter and two counts of unarmed robbery, both of which occurred in Wayne County, according to the release. He also has an extensive criminal record in the State of Florida, the release said.

Jones was video arraigned in front of Judge Dennis Powers of the 52-1 District Court in Novi Wednesday evening, according to the release. He was ordered to be held without bond and was taken to the Oakland County Jail, the release said. His next court date is a preliminary exam conference 9:15 a.m. Jan. 22 at before Judge Powers at the 52-1 District Court in Novi.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Novi police at 248-348-7100 or anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK UP.