Source: Grand Rapids woman found dead feared boyfriend would kill her
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Grand Rapids woman who police say was beaten to death by a man she had dated predicted last summer that he would kill her, sources said.
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.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Davison County Sheriff opposing possible prison near Mitchell
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The sheriff for Davison County is officially opposing the idea of building a new men's prison near Mitchell. Last week, Gov. Larry Rhoden's Project Prison Rest task force included Mitchell among Worthing and other existing DOC sites as a possible site for a new men's prison facility to replace the current South Dakota State Penitentiary located in Sioux Falls. 35-year-old arrested in early morning crime spree including stolen bus In a post on social media, Davison County Sheriff Steve Harr said he 'will not be supporting bringing the state prison to Davison County.' 'I contacted Minnehaha County Sheriff Milstead, who sits on the task force, informing him of this. I have asked him to forward it on to the entire task force,' Harr wrote. Harr said prior to last week's task force meeting, he had signed a letter of support for the prison near Mitchell. 'This was done with hopes Davison County would make the final cut and some conversations would start,' Harr wrote. 'It was not done as a statement of 'we need a prison in Mitchell.' Well, as you know, this was successful, as the conversation all over town is on this topic.' Harr said he believes it has become clear there's a large number of residents opposed to a new men's prison being built near Mitchell. 'My job as Sheriff is to look out for the citizens of Davison County and I feel that is what is being done by coming to this decision,' Harr said. 'I would like to thank everyone that has reached out or made your concerns known in other ways.' Project Prison Reset plans to meet again in July to discuss further options for replacing the State Penitentiary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Most-Followed TikToker Khaby Lame Detained, Released by ICE Over Visa Issue
Khaby Lame, the most-followed TikToker in the world, was detained and released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on June 6. On Monday, an ICE spokesperson confirmed that the Italian-Senegalese star had been detained at Las Vegas airport for alleged immigration violations. According to ICE, the 25-year-old TikToker, whose real name is Seringe Khabane Lame, had 'overstayed the terms of his visa' and was later granted voluntary departure. More from Rolling Stone Trump Continues Inflaming L.A. Protests: 'BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!' Republicans Say They're Cool With Trump Deploying Troops Against Protesters Trump's Response to L.A. Protests: What We Know 'U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, June 6, at the Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, for immigration violations,' an ICE spokesperson said in a statement. 'Lame entered the United States [on] April 30 and overstayed the terms of his visa.' According to ICE, Lame has since left the country. The influencer shared a photo of himself in São Paulo, Brazil, on Monday morning. A rep for Lame did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone's request for comment. The detainment of Lame comes as the Trump administration called for the military to be deployed against anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. The protests, which began in response to raids on Friday, escalated over the weekend after Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops into the city. Gov. Gavin Newsom requested on Sunday that Trump revoke his federalization of the National Guard and withdraw them from the city. 'The decision to deploy the National Guard, without appropriate training or orders, risks seriously escalating the situation,' he wrote. 'There is currently no need for the National Guard to be deployed in Los Angeles, and to do so in this unlawful manner and for such a lengthy period is a serious breach of state sovereignty that seems intentionally designed to inflame the situation.' Lame's detainment also comes as numerous artists and celebrities have faced visa issues under the Trump administration, including Grupo Firme and Julión Álvarez. Best of Rolling Stone Every Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ranked From Worst to Best The United States of Weed Gaming Levels Up
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Man charged with DUI after allegedly driving wrong way on I-91 in Enfield
ENFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — State police say a Massachusetts man was arrested after driving the wrong way on Interstate 91 while under the influence early Saturday morning. Tyzier Virola, 25, of Springfield, Massachusetts was charged with illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol/drugs, driving wrong way on a divided highway, and improper parking on a highway. Metro-North back to normal after downed wires left passengers stranded The charges stem from about 3:45 a.m. Saturday, when troopers received word of a wrong way driver traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-91. The vehicle was later reported at the bottom of the Exit 49 off ramp, facing the wrong way. While speaking to the driver, troopers said they saw clear signs of impairment, including the odor of alcohol on him. He agreed to do Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, which state police say he failed to perform to standard. Virola was released from custody on a $2,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Hartford Superior Court on June 20. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.