Lewis Sentenced to Life in Prison for 2018 Murder of Jessie Sumlar
Michael Haim Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murdering Bonnie Haim in 1993
Published on: May 21, 2019
Fourth Judicial Circuit of Florida
www.sao4th.com
Melissa W Nelson
State Attorney
311 West Monroe Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202-4242
(904) 255-2500
State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that Michael Ray Haim, of Waynesville, N.C., was sentenced by the Honorable Steven Whittington to life in Florida State Prison for the murder of his wife, Bonnie, in 1993. A jury found Haim guilty of Second-Degree Murder in April 2019.
“Today, the truth is laid bare,” said State Attorney Melissa Nelson.
Michael and Bonnie Haim had been married for over five years when Bonnie went missing on or about Jan. 6, 1993. The two had a 3-year-old son, Aaron, at the time of Bonnie’s disappearance. Bonnie planned to leave her husband with Aaron and had secured an apartment several days before she disappeared.
On Jan. 7, 1993, Bonnie’s car was found at Jacksonville International Airport with a unique shoe impression on the driver’s side floorboard. That size-10 shoeprint matched a pair of distinct shoes Michael owned. On Jan. 8, 1993, Aaron was interviewed by a Child Protection Team and gave several statements about Michael harming Bonnie. An extensive investigation resulted in no suspect other than Michael Haim. No arrest was made and Michael left Jacksonville. He later lost the rights to the Northside home in a civil lawsuit to Aaron, who was raised by adoptive parents.
On Dec. 14, 2014, Aaron was making repairs to the home when he removed a poorly constructed concrete slab in the backyard, unearthing a decomposed skeleton. After DNA testing, the skeleton was revealed to be Bonnie’s and the cause of death was ruled to be homicide.
The case was investigated by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Alan Mizrahi and Mac Heavener.