Jane Bashara Obituary: Who Killed Jane Bashara?
by Abinaya | Updated Jul 01, 2023
Jane Bashara Obituary
Jane E. Bashara, aged 56, of Grosse Pointe Park, passed away suddenly on January 25, 2012. She was born on June 22, 1955, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, to John and Lorraine Engelbrecht. Mrs. Bashara held a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Central Michigan University. She worked as a senior marketing manager for KEMA Services in Detroit, an energy consulting, testing, and certification company.
Jane was an active member of the Grosse Pointe community and served as the past president of the Grosse Pointe South High School Mother's Club. Jane is survived by her husband of 26 years, Robert; her son Robert Jr.; her daughter, Jessica; her sisters Janet Gottsleben (Mark) and Julie Rowe (Greg); her brother, John Engelbrecht (Lois); and her parents, John and Lorraine Engelbrecht.
The family received friends and visitors from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday at the A. H. Peters Funeral Home, located at 20705 Mack Avenue at Vernier Road in Grosse Pointe Woods. A memorial service celebrating Jane's life was held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, situated at 16 Lakeshore Road in Grosse Pointe Farms. Reverend Marianna Gronek officiated the service, honoring and remembering Jane's life.
Memorial contributions to either the St. Michael Episcopal Church Organ Fund, located at 20475 Sunningdale Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236, or the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club, P.O. Box 36366, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236, would be appreciated. The funeral arrangements were entrusted to A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe, located at 20705 Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe Woods, MI.
Who Killed Jane Bashara?
Joe Gentz is the person who killed Jane Bashara. In 2012, the murder of Jane Bashara sent shockwaves through the community. The investigation into her death eventually led to a stunning revelation. Joe Gentz, her husband's handyman, confessed to the crime and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. According to CBS News, Gentz admitted to killing Jane under direct orders from Bob Bashara, her husband.
During the court proceedings, Gentz testified that Bob Bashara had offered him money and made threats against his life if he did not carry out the murder. Gentz's chilling statement to the court at the time was, "Bob Bashara offered me money... he threatened me if I did not kill her." His belief that his own life was in danger compelled him to commit the heinous act.
In 2013, Gentz was sentenced to 17 to 28 years in prison for his role in Jane Bashara's murder. The legal process sought to hold him accountable for his actions and shed light on the sinister plot orchestrated by Bob Bashara. The case garnered significant media attention, and its notoriety continues to this day. On June 30, 2023, the highly regarded television show Dateline, with correspondent Dennis Murphy, aired an episode dedicated to the Jane Bashara murder case on NBC at 9/8pm C. The upcoming episode is expected to explore the intricacies of the investigation and highlight the sensational nature of the case.
Jane Bashara Children
Jane Bashara had two children, Jessica Bashara and Robert Bashara, Jr. Their testimonies played a significant role in their father's murder trial, providing insights into their parents' relationship and shedding light on the events surrounding their mother's death. Jessica Bashara, born in 1988, is a registered nurse residing in Michigan. During the trial, she revealed that her parents had been experiencing marital problems.
However, she expressed disbelief that her father could harm her mother. Jessica also mentioned that she had witnessed her father with another woman on the night of her mother's death, adding another layer of complexity to the case. Robert Bashara, Jr., born in 1990, is an industrial engineer who resides out of state. Unlike his sister, he expressed his unwavering belief in his father's innocence.
Robert testified that he did not think his father was capable of committing murder. He spoke of his father's role as a loving and devoted parent throughout his life, making it difficult for him to imagine that his father would harm his mother. The testimonies of both Jessica and Robert provided contrasting perspectives on their father's involvement in their mother's death. Their statements reflected the complexity of the family dynamics and the emotional impact the case had on them.
Who is Jane Bashara?
Jane Bashara, born on June 22, 1955, was a marketing executive whose life was tragically cut short. Her murder in 2012 shocked the community and sparked a high-profile investigation that ultimately led to her husband's conviction. Jane Bashara grew up in Mount Clemens, Michigan, and graduated from Lakeview High School in 1973. She furthered her education at Macomb Community College and embarked on a successful career in marketing, working for various companies, including KEMA Engineering.
In 1980, Jane Bashara married Bob Bashara, and together they had two children named Jessica and Robert. As a member of the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club, Jane was actively involved in her community and dedicated her time to various philanthropic endeavors. The events surrounding Jane Bashara's death began on January 24, 2012. She was last seen by her co-workers after a meeting in downtown Detroit.
Concerned for her well-being, her husband reported her missing to the Grosse Pointe Park Police Department later that evening. Tragically, the following day, on January 25, 2012, Jane's lifeless body was discovered in the backseat of her Mercedes SUV parked in an alley on the east side of Detroit. The police investigation revealed that Jane Bashara had been strangled, and evidence indicated that she had fought for her life. Her untimely death left a profound impact on her family, friends, and the community at large.
The subsequent investigation led authorities to focus their attention on Bob Bashara, her husband, who was ultimately convicted of her murder in 2015. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison.
Jane Bashara Obituary - FAQs
Joe Gentz, the husband's handyman, confessed to killing Jane Bashara under direct orders from her husband, Bob Bashara.
Joe Gentz pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2012 and was sentenced to 17 to 28 years in prison in 2013.
The Dateline episode dedicated to the Jane Bashara murder case explores the details of the investigation and highlights the sensational nature of the case.
Jane Bashara had two children named Jessica Bashara and Robert Bashara, Jr.
Jessica testified about her parents' marital problems, her disbelief in her father's involvement in her mother's murder, and her observation of her father with another woman on the night of her mother's death.