TOLEDO, OH – The family and friends of Malicai Calder are facing a devastating loss after the 27-year-old Toledo man was found dead earlier this week, his body dismembered in a shocking case that has left the community reeling.
Calder had been reported missing over the weekend, prompting a search by authorities concerned for his wellbeing. Loved ones grew more anxious after he could not be reached, and his home was found in a disturbingly incomplete state. When officers arrived, they found the TV still playing, the shower running, and Calder’s dog barking with no sign of its owner.
The concern intensified when police discovered that Calder’s work vehicle was also missing. Authorities launched a search of the city for the vehicle, a crucial clue in trying to locate Calder’s whereabouts.
On Tuesday, officers spotted the missing vehicle being driven through Toledo. They stopped it on Mulberry Drive and, to their shock, discovered the driver was not Calder but 33-year-old Martel Huggins. A further search of the vehicle led to a gruesome discovery—body parts believed to belong to Calder.
The Lucas County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that Calder had suffered both stab and gunshot wounds to the head. The manner of death was ruled a homicide, and officials determined the body had been dismembered.
Police have not disclosed the connection, if any, between Calder and Huggins. Investigators are also withholding details regarding a possible motive as they continue their inquiry.
Huggins was subsequently arrested and booked into the Lucas County Corrections Center. According to jail records, he faces charges of murder and assault. He is currently being held on a $1 million bond.
The arrest came as a grim development for Calder’s family, who had hoped for his safe return. Instead, they now mourn the loss of a man described by those who knew him as friendly and hardworking.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain tight-lipped about possible circumstances that led to the violent act. Huggins is scheduled to appear in court next month, where new details may emerge regarding the events leading up to Calder’s death.
The community continues to grapple with the brutal nature of the crime, as police urge anyone with information relevant to the case to come forward. For now, those close to Malicai Calder must face the aftermath of an unimaginable tragedy.