Teen Discovers Dismembered Body of School Custodian Near Boat Launch, Suspect Charged with Murder
A suspect has been arrested following the discovery of dismembered body parts belonging to a school custodian in Bay City, Michigan. Authorities responded to a report on Wednesday, September 18, after a teenager found human remains near a boat launch, the Bay City Department of Public Safety stated.
The remains were soon identified as belonging to 41-year-old Justie Stilwell, who worked as a custodian at T.L. Handy Middle School. On Wednesday, September 25, police arrested a 40-year-old man in connection with the case. Though the authorities initially withheld his name, local news outlets WNEM, MLive, and the Midland Daily News identified the suspect as Robert Tweedly Jr. He was formally charged with open murder and dismemberment of a body during his arraignment on Friday.
Stilwell had been reported missing by his family just hours before parts of his body—two arms and lower legs—were discovered near the Saginaw River by a 16-year-old girl. The teenager noticed a foot in the water while walking near the boat launch and alerted her grandfather, John Donaldson. At first, Donaldson thought the foot was part of a Halloween prank or a doll. Upon realizing it was real, he called 911. As they waited for the authorities to arrive, the girl also spotted a hand in the same area.
The next day, Stilwell’s car was found by his family in a nearby park, and police discovered additional remains, believed to be Stilwell’s, in another part of the city.
In response to Stilwell’s death, T.L. Handy Middle School released a statement expressing their grief, saying, “Justie was a valued member of our Handy family, and we know that this loss will be felt deeply by many. Our thoughts are with Justie’s family and all those affected by this loss.”
Robert Tweedly Jr. has pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder and mutilation. He is currently being held on a $1 million bond, and no attorney has been reached for comment at this time.
