Martin Duram lived in Sand Lake, Michigan, with his wife, Glenna Duram, and their African grey parrot, Bud. The couple’s relationship began to hit a rough patch and took a deadly turn in 2015. What first appeared to be a failed murder-suicide attempt became a murder investigation after Bud, a talking parrot, repeated a key conversation between the couple. Bud’s eyewitness testimony helped police understand what happened in the home that fateful night.
Martin Duram was shot multiple times in May 2015, WBIR reported. His wife had a gunshot wound to the head but survived. Following the shooting, Bud reportedly began repeating some unsettling words.
Martin Duram’s former wife, Christine Keller, took custody of Bud and said he began repeating a conversation between a male and female after the shooting.
“Get out,” the man’s voice said.
“Where will I go?” the woman replied.
“Don’t f—–g shoot,” the man’s voice said.
“I believe with all my heart that those are the last words of Marty,” Keller told WBIR. “I recognize two different voices screaming and yelling and it always ends with, ‘Don’t f—–g shoot.'”
Months after the shooting, police finally spoke with Glenna Duram as she recovered from her gunshot wound, WZZM reported.
According to court documents obtained by the outlet, Glenna Duram told police she was bipolar and had recently experienced depression. She also left behind three letters that police considered a confession.
“I’m so sorry I messed up. Please be there for our two beautiful children and grandkids as you have been – love Glenna,” a letter read.
“I believe the letters are an admission of guilt in this incident and show remorse on the part of Glenna Duram,’’ police wrote in an October 2015 arrest warrant, according to WZZM.
A court convicted Glenna Duram of murder and sentenced her in 2017 to life in prison. As for the star witness, Bud celebrated a milestone birthday in the fall of 2025. His family will always remain grateful to him.
“BUD…. Is gonna be 30 in September. And it’s Been 10yrs since the tragic loss of Marty!” a Facebook post reads. “He is still doing fantastic and all of Marty’s kids are doing great… busy with baseball looking into Football … and making [their] Dad proud.”
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
