Saginaw Woman Kelley Kay Dies After Alleged Captivity and Torture; Charges May Be Upgraded
May 26, 2025
SAGINAW, MI — A deeply tragic chapter has come to a close as Kelley Kay, the woman who authorities say was held captive and brutally tortured in a Carrollton Township home last fall, has died from her injuries. Her passing has prompted prosecutors to consider upgraded charges against the man accused of inflicting the abuse.
Jonathan M. Zieroff, 30, of Carrollton Township, was arraigned earlier this month on a charge of torture, a felony punishable by up to life in prison. The arraignment, which took place on May 14 before Saginaw County District Judge A.T. Frank, came months after Zieroff’s initial arrest on September 16, 2024, when he was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and second-offense aggravated domestic violence.
Kay, who had been in a coma and later declared brain dead due to the extensive injuries she sustained, was officially pronounced deceased on May 26, 2025.
The Abuse and Rescue
According to police and court records, Kelley Kay was allegedly kept captive in Zieroff’s home for several days. Officers were alerted to the situation through a tip and responded to the residence, where they found Kay in critical condition, suffering from signs of prolonged physical abuse including fractures, bruising, and evidence of malnourishment.
Authorities said the scene suggested systematic torture, and the cruelty inflicted on Kay was so severe that emergency personnel believed she might not survive from the outset. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she remained unresponsive for several months.
Her death, confirmed just hours ago, has devastated those close to her and reignited calls for justice throughout the Saginaw community.
History of Violence
Zieroff was known to law enforcement and had a documented history of domestic violence. His prior conviction led to enhanced charges in this case. Prosecutors say the nature of the assault on Kay went far beyond typical patterns of abuse and instead reflected a deliberate and sustained campaign of violence.
“This was not spontaneous,” said one investigator. “It was cruel, calculated, and inhumane.”
Court documents allege that Zieroff restrained Kay inside his residence and beat her repeatedly. She was found in an unconscious state, with trauma so extensive that hospital staff feared immediate brain damage — a fear that ultimately proved accurate.
Zieroff has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bond at the Saginaw County Jail.
Prosecutors Weighing Homicide Charges
With Kelley Kay now deceased, Saginaw County prosecutors are working closely with medical examiners and investigators to determine whether murder or felony murder charges will be added to Zieroff’s case.
“We are treating this as an evolving homicide investigation,” said Saginaw County Prosecutor John McColgan Jr. “We will thoroughly examine the evidence, including the autopsy results, before proceeding with additional charges.”
An official autopsy is expected to be completed this week, and prosecutors may act quickly depending on the findings.
A Community Mourns Kelley Kay
In the wake of her death, those who knew Kelley Kay are speaking out, remembering her as a kind, gentle soul who didn’t deserve the violence inflicted upon her.
“Kelley was quiet, sweet, and had a heart that didn’t quit,” said a longtime friend. “She was always trying to make life better for others, even when she was struggling herself.”
Community members are organizing a candlelight vigil in her honor later this week, and domestic violence prevention advocates are renewing their calls for increased public education, support services, and early intervention strategies.
“This is more than a tragedy,” said Marie Caldwell of Great Lakes Safe Haven, a Saginaw-based domestic violence shelter. “This is a wake-up call. If Kelley had gotten help sooner, she might still be alive today.”
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Zieroff is scheduled to appear in court again in June unless new charges accelerate the timeline. A probable cause conference and preliminary examination will help determine whether the case proceeds to trial.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Zieroff’s past or the days leading up to Kay’s rescue to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-422-JAIL (5245) or Carrollton Township Police.
As this tragic case continues to unfold, the Saginaw community is left grappling with grief — and a renewed commitment to ensuring that victims like Kelley Kay are never forgotten.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).