DETROIT -- The son of one of the founders of Powerhouse Gyms International was arraigned today on first-degree murder and torture charges stemming from the death of a woman last month.
Peter Dabish was held without bond today, and a preliminary examination was set for April 20, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press.
Detroit police arrested Dabish, 24, on Wednesday at his attorney’s office for his alleged role in the death of Diana DeMayo, who died March 11 from multiple blunt force injuries to her head. A warrant for Dabish’s arrest was issued March 31.
“The Dabish family’s prayers go out to the family of the victim during this most difficult time,” Dabish family attorney Wolfgang Mueller said in an e-mail to Club Industry. “The family is deeply saddened with the tragic death of a young woman and the allegations surrounding Peter Dabish.”
Peter Dabish is the oldest son of Powerhouse Gyms International co-founder Norman Dabish, who died of a heart attack in 2005 at the age of 46, and the nephew of Norman’s brother, co-founder William Dabish. Norman Dabish sold his shares of the company in 1999. William Dabish’s son, Henry Dabish, is the CEO of the Farmington Hills, MI-based company.
Peter Dabish has had no involvement with the operation of any Powerhouse Gym and has never held a position with a Powerhouse Gym, the company said in a statement to Club Industry. Dabish also does not hold any ownership stake in the company.
Furthermore, Peter Dabish has been in a troubled emotional state for some period of time, the company said, especially after his father’s death. Dabish distanced himself from those who cared for him, the company added, and he did not have any communication with any of William’s sons for more than a year and a half.
The Dabish family owns a handful of gyms in the Detroit metro area. The company, which was founded in 1975, licenses independently owned and operated Powerhouse Gyms throughout the country and around the world.