Bernita White was killed on June 23, 2001, while walking with her daughter near Potter Park Zoo. More than two decades later, her murder remains unsolved.
By TNCPNEWS
Nearly 25 years after Bernita White was shot and killed while walking with her young daughter near Potter Park Zoo, one of Lansing’s most perplexing homicide cases remains unsolved.
On June 23, 2001, White, 41, was walking toward the zoo entrance with her 5-year-old daughter when she was struck by a single rifle bullet. Investigators determined the shot was fired from a distance, and despite extensive searches and years of investigation, the bullet that killed her was never recovered.
The broad-daylight killing shocked the Lansing community. Hundreds of people were in and around the zoo that afternoon, yet no one has ever been charged in connection with White’s death.
At the time of her death, White was a computer engineer, mother of two, and had reportedly filed for divorce from her husband, Artis White, approximately one month earlier. Artis White, then a Michigan State Police sergeant, was publicly identified by investigators as a person of interest during the investigation but has never been charged with a crime and has consistently denied any involvement.
The case became the subject of intense public scrutiny and years of legal challenges. Among the most controversial aspects of the investigation was the use of canine scent-tracking evidence. Investigators relied in part on evidence from a police dog that was said to connect Artis White to an area from which authorities believed the fatal shot may have been fired.
Over time, that evidence became heavily disputed. Court records and subsequent legal proceedings raised questions about the reliability of the canine tracking methods used during the investigation. Critics argued that investigators placed too much emphasis on the dog evidence, while supporters of the investigation maintained it was one component of a larger body of information being considered. The controversy surrounding the canine evidence has continued to fuel debate about the case for more than two decades.
The tragedy extended beyond Bernita White’s death. According to reports, White’s mother, Barbara Sims, suffered a fatal heart attack the same night she learned her daughter had been murdered.
As public attention focused on the investigation, Artis White sought to tell his side of the story. In 2003, he published Who Killed My Wife?: The Unsolved Murder of Bernita White, a book detailing the investigation from his perspective. White, who was publicly identified as a person of interest but never charged, wrote about the impact the case had on his family and his belief that investigators had focused too narrowly on him while the actual killer remained at large.
The book added another layer to an already complicated case. While some viewed it as an effort to clear his name, others saw it as part of the ongoing public debate surrounding the investigation and the unanswered questions that remain. The book remains one of the few published first-person accounts connected to the case and reflects how deeply the murder affected everyone involved.
In 2012, the Michigan State Police Cold Case Team joined Lansing police in taking a fresh look at the investigation. Authorities expressed hope that advances in investigative techniques and renewed public attention might generate new leads. Despite those efforts, no arrest has been made and no charges have been filed.
The last significant media attention to the case came more than a decade ago when investigators renewed calls for information from the public. Since then, the case has largely faded from public discussion, though it remains one of the Lansing area’s most well-known unsolved homicides.
Today, as Lansing continues to grapple with questions surrounding public safety, gun violence, and unsolved crimes, the murder of Bernita White serves as a reminder that some families continue waiting years—or even decades—for answers.
Timeline of the Case
June 23, 2001: Bernita White is shot and killed while walking with her daughter near Potter Park Zoo.
June 23, 2001: Bernita White’s mother, Barbara Sims, reportedly dies of a heart attack after learning of her daughter’s death.
2001–2003: Investigators pursue numerous leads and publicly identify Artis White as a person of interest, though no charges are filed.
2003: Artis White publishes Who Killed My Wife?: The Unsolved Murder of Bernita White.
2012: The Michigan State Police Cold Case Team joins Lansing police in re-examining the case.
2013: Investigators renew public appeals for information and media coverage revisits the unsolved homicide.
2026: Nearly 25 years later, the case remains unsolved.
A quarter century later, the central question remains unanswered:
Who killed Bernita White?
Readers interested in learning more about the case and the renewed cold case investigation can review this report:
ClickOnDetroit: Leads still being sought in woman’s murder at Lansing zoo
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact law enforcement. Even after 25 years, investigators have said that one new piece of information could make a difference.
If you have any information, contact the Lansing Police Department. The case number is 1951913938 / LLA010623010888 / A110888.
