A man allegedly admitted to murdering a man he met on a gay dating website after the victim’s mutilated body parts were found late last month.
Justie Stilwell’s severed foot was discovered at the Edward Golson Boat Launch on September 18, shortly before his arms and legs were found floating in the Saginaw River. Suspect Robert D. Tweedly Jr., 40, would later tell police that he dumped Stilwell’s severed head and torso at the Golson Nature Area, leading to the discovery of those body parts, according to MLive.
Stilwell’s family reported him missing on September 18 after he did not show up for work at T.L. Handy Middle School. Fingerprints were used to identify some of the remains as Stilwell. The limbs were located not far from where his car was parked.
An autopsy determined Stilwell died of strangulation, suggesting the dismemberment occurred postmortem.
An investigation led police to Tweedly, who they determined met Stilwell on Grindr. One of Stilwell’s friends accessed the app and discovered Stilwell, who was missing, was near a user named “Bored.” Police identified “Bored” as Tweedly, according to MLive.
Tweedly allegedly told police that Stilwell came to his home and he pushed him down the stairs when he wanted to leave. Tweedly said he then followed Stilwell down the stairs and strangled him, Bay City Public Safety Sgt. Nate Kamp testified in court.
Tweedly was reportedly filmed purchasing an anchor rope from Walmart. He allegedly intended to use the rope to lift Stilwell’s body. When that did not work, he allegedly returned to the store to buy an axe and bags — which he used to dismember and store Stilwell’s body.
Tweedly is charged with murder and disinterment or mutilation of a dead body. He remains jailed on a $1 million bond.
