Arrest Made in Decades-Old Northern Michigan Cold Case

Nearly 36 years after the body of Linda Meteer was found badly beaten in Hoosier Valley, just outside of Traverse City, Michigan, police have announced that they have arrested a suspect in connection with the case.

👇25 Michigan Cold Cases That Have Gone Unsolved for Decades👇

The announcement was made on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, and posted to social media by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office.

The Murder of Linda Meteer

Linda Meteer was just 41 years old and a mother to five children in April 1989 when she left a bar in Chum's Corner, Michigan never to be seen alive again. Linda was reported missing on April 20, 1989.

Sadly, her body was located in Hoosier Valley a week later on April 27, 1989. Following the discovery of her body, an autopsy was completed and Linda's death was ruled a homicide.

At the time of her death, police in Grand Traverse County formed a task force, hopeful that they would be able to swiftly solve the case. Unfortunately, the trail ran cold.

In 2024, police in Grand Traverse County revisited the case, determined to find Linda Meteer's killer. They even enlisted the help of students who were part of the Cold Case Program with the Michigan State Police out of Western Michigan University. Those students digitized the case files related to Linda's murder to make the investigation easier.

Arrest Made in Connection With the 1989 Murder of Linda Meteer

On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, police arrested a 63-year-old man from Leelanau County for the charge of open murder. At the time of the press conference on Tuesday, police were not releasing the man's name.

However, 9&10 News reported on February 19 that the man's name is Steven Gary Koon and he was arraigned that same day.

Koon has a criminal record in Grand Traverse County dating back to 1981 (that arrest was for unspecified charges.) In 1991, Koon was arrested and charged with breaking and entering a vehicle. Two years later, he was arrested and charged with larceny in a building and receiving/concealing stolen property.

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Koon was officially arraigned on February 20 and is being held without bond. He is expected back in court on March 11, 2025.

Michigan Homicides That Have Gone Unsolved For More Than 25 Years

Sadly, the Mid-Michigan area is reputed to be a dangerous place to live. Thanks to Crime Stoppers, we've compiled a list of 15 homicide victims whose lives were tragically taken long before their time.

Their murders have gone unsolved for more than 25 years.

Gallery Credit: George McIntyre

Categories: Grand Rapids News