A suspect has been arrested following the grim discovery of dismembered body parts belonging to a school custodian in Bay City, Michigan. Investigators were alerted to the presence of human remains near a boat launch on Wednesday, September 18. According to the Bay City Department of Public Safety, the victim was identified as 41-year-old Justie Stilwell of Bay City the following day.
On September 25, law enforcement officials made an arrest in connection with this disturbing case. A 40-year-old man was apprehended, identified as Robert Tweedly Jr. by WNEM, MLive, and the Midland Daily News. He faces charges of one count of open murder and one count of disinterment and mutilation of a body in relation to Stilwell’s death, according to a statement from Bay City Public Safety.
Justice Stilwell’s family reported him missing on September 18, just hours before the gruesome discovery was made. The remains, which included two arms and lower legs, were found near a boat launch along the banks of the Saginaw River. The initial discovery was made by a 16-year-old girl who noticed a foot protruding from the water. She promptly notified her grandfather, Bay City Public Safety Deputy Director Rod Schanck said.
The girl’s grandfather, John Donaldson, recounted his initial thoughts, saying he believed it was a Halloween prank when he first spotted the foot, which he thought resembled a doll’s. However, once they realized it was a human foot, he called 911. While waiting for the police to arrive, the teenager reportedly spotted a hand as well.
The next day, Stilwell’s vehicle was discovered by his family in a nearby park. On the same day Tweedly was arrested, authorities also uncovered “additional human remains” believed to belong to Stilwell at another undisclosed location within the city.
In the wake of this tragedy, T.L. Handy Middle School, where Stilwell worked, released a heartfelt statement expressing their grief. “Justice was a valued member of our Handy family, and we know that this loss will be felt deeply by many,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with Justie’s family and all those affected by this loss.”
The suspect, Tweedly, has entered pleas of not guilty to both charges he faces and is currently being held on a $1 million bond. The investigation is ongoing as authorities seek to uncover more details surrounding this shocking case.
