PINEY POINT, Md. – On the morning of December 31, 1966, a local St. George’s Island, MD, resident stopped by the White Point Tavern in Piney Point and noticed the back door was unlocked. Once inside, he found the proprietor, John Michalek, lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
The investigation determined the victim was beaten in the head with a frying pan from the kitchen of White Point Tavern. John Michalek never regained consciousness and died from his injuries on March 1, 1967.
Robbery was initially suspected to be the motive for the assault. Still, several investigators have disputed that motive, believing it was a quarrel involving the victim and a known acquaintance after closing hours.
A suspect was developed, but investigators could not make a strong enough case to make an arrest.
John Michalek rests at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland.
(Headstone photo credit – Betty Frain)
(Research credit – Greg Laxton)
Wasn’t it called the White Fleet Tavern?
The bar was actually “the white fleet” which is now OCI
Yea this will never be solved unfortunately, almost 60 years ago. Everyone involved is most likely dead
I just found this article accidently. That was my Grandfather that was killed. I had never heard these details before. I was 10 and at the time and following years I had never heard this before. I was always afraid to bring it up.
So I just came across this article. John Michalek was my Grandfather. He owned the White Fleet Tavern and lived in the apartment behind the bar. I was 10 years old when he died. It was a devastating and confusing time in our lives. I have good memories visiting him there.