MCS Report #127
Classification: Homicide
Requesting Agency: Granite City Police Department
Date of Activation: 05/01/1986
Commander and Department: Maj. Robert Hertz, Madison County Sheriff’s Dept
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Det. Sgt. Stephen Nonn, Madison County Sheriff’s Dept
Victims: Carl Wayne Hoffman and Susan J. Hoffman
Suspect: Jack Gordon Bruce
The Granite City Police Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the deaths of Carl Hoffman (age 49) and Susan Hoffman (age 28). At approximately 9:35am, police officers responded to a residence in the 1500 block of Rodger Street for a report of two bodies being located inside the residence. There was reported to be a strong odor of natural gas coming from inside the residence, so the fire department also responded. Inside the residence, the bodies of Carl Hoffman and his wife, Susan Hoffman, were discovered. They had both been repeatedly stabbed and shot multiple times and were pronounced dead on scene. It was also discovered all the controls on the gas range had been turned on to their maximum position and a candle had been lit and set on a table in the kitchen.
As a result of this investigation, Jack Bruce (age 42) was charged with four counts of 1st Degree Murder, one count Home Invasion, one count Armed Violence, and one count Attempted Murder. He was arrested on a no-bond warrant.
