Source: Grand Rapids woman found dead feared boyfriend would kill her
Aleta Lung, 61, was found dead Wednesday in her apartment off the East Beltline. She was believed to have been dead for two or three days by then. Her one-time boyfriend, 47-year-old Randy Buckner, was arrested hours later driving her vehicle in New Mexico.
Man arrested in New Mexico for murder in Grand Rapids, police say
Grand Rapids police said Sunday evening was the last time anyone hard from Lung. A neighbor said she heard banging and yelling in Lung's apartment on Sunday before the Super Bowl. The neighbor said it sounded like Lung and Buckner were fighting, but the neighbor did not call police because she was worried any resulting charges would be dropped and she feared retaliation. She said she now wishes she had called police and hopes others can learn from her mistake.
Law enforcement sources confirm that when police responded to Lung's home in June 2024 on domestic call, she told them Buckner was going to kill her.
That incident did not result in charges. Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker said Lung reported Buckner balled up a fist and said he was going to hit her. Buckner denied that. There was no evidence of physical contact, Becker said.
Police said Buckner has a long history of domestic violence arrests.
Victim advocates say domestic violence is an epidemic.
'The story happens over and over again,' Rachel VerWys, CEO of Safe Haven Ministries in Grand Rapids, said. 'And not in any isolated space. This is happening all over the country. It's happening all over our community.'
New Kent County court aims to 'treat the root' of domestic violence
Sources told News 8 Lung had been trying to break it off with Buckner. Victim advocates say that is the among the most dangerous times in an abusive relationship.
'Knowing that abuse can escalate particularly when someone is trying to leave helps us understand the very, very difficult dynamics of victims and what they're facing,' VerWys said.
Buckner appeared Friday at a court hearing from the Bernalillo County, New Mexico, detention center. A judge ordered him held without bond for 25 days while extradition proceedings are underway. A defense attorney said Buckner would challenge extradition.
Anyone who needs help can connect with Safe Haven Ministries through its 24/7 crisis phone line by calling or texting 616.452.6664 or online at .
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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