Left inset: Justie Stilwell (Skorupski Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services). Right inset: Robert Dale Tweedly Jr. Background: The location where Stilwell’s remains were found (WNEM).
A Michigan man is accused of killing an acquaintance whose severed foot was found in the Saginaw River and whose head and torso were found at a separate location.
Robert Dale Tweedly Jr., 40, was charged with one count of open murder and disinterment and mutilation of a body in the death of Justie Stilwell, 41, authorities said.
Stilwell’s family reported him missing on Sept. 18 after he hadn’t shown up for days at work as a custodian at a middle school in Bay City, more than 100 miles north of Detroit, authorities said.
Stilwell’s remains were found hours later when a girl discovered a severed human foot in the water of the Saginaw River near the Edward M. Golson Boat Launch.
“It being near Halloween, I thought it was some kind of prank,” the girl’s grandfather, John Donaldson, told MLive Media Group. “I went down there, and it initially looked like a doll’s foot.”
“I’m from Bay City, and I’ve been to the river many, many times,” Donaldson added. “I always thought there’s got to be a lot of bodies in there. It made me wonder who it was and what happened.”
Police were called out, and a homicide investigation was launched.
Two arms and legs were recovered. Fingerprints identified them as belonging to Stilwell, officials said in a press release. Authorities said they found Stilwell’s vehicle at a park across the river. A search of Tweedly’s home uncovered evidence that links Tweedly to the killing, authorities alleged.
At the suspect’s home, authorities said they also found information about where Stilwell’s head and torso had been dumped elsewhere in the city. Details about that location and further information about the murder were not revealed.
Police said the two men were acquaintances but provided no further information about their relationship.
Tweedly was arrested on Wednesday. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Stilwell was remembered fondly.
“Justie was a valued member of our Handy family, and we know that this loss will be felt deeply by many,” Bay City Public Schools said in a letter to students’ parents. “Our thoughts are with Justie’s family and all those affected by this loss.”
The kitchen staff at Handy Middle School will miss him, Jodie McCoy, of the “Handy Lunch Ladies,” wrote in a tribute. “He always had a smile on his face and was there to help us with any crazy request we could think of.”
“Our cafeteria and kitchen will never be the same,” she added.
He had a knack for photography and enjoyed genealogy, his obituary said.
“Justie’s artistic side made him a natural when it came to scrapbooking and other creative pursuits,” the page read. “Justie enjoyed the peace of nature and enjoyed time spent outdoors, especially up north in Mackinaw City. He will be deeply missed, yet lovingly remembered for years to come.”
Tweedly is being held on a $1 million bond at the Bay County Jail.
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