A suspect has been arrested after the dismembered body parts of a school custodian were found by a teenager.
Investigators in Bay City, Mich., responded to reports of human remains found near a boat launch on Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Bay City Department of Public Safety said in a statement. The following day, authorities identified the victim as 41-year-old Justie Stilwell of Bay City.
On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Bay City Public Safety officials arrested a 40-year-old man in connection with the discovery, they said in a statement. Authorities did not name the suspect but he was identified as Robert Tweedly Jr. by WNEM, MLive and the Midland Daily News following his arraignment in a Bay City court on Friday, where he was charged with one count of open murder and one count of disinterment and mutilation of a body in connection with Stilwell’s death.
Bay City public safety officials say Stilwell’s family reported him missing on Sept. 18, just hours before his remains — two arms and lower legs, including his feet — were found near a boat launch along the banks of the Saginaw River.
The discovery was reportedly made by a 16-year-old girl walking by the boat launch who spotted a foot in the water and notified her grandfather, Bay City Public Safety Deputy Director Rod Schanck said, per MLive.
The girl’s grandfather, John Donaldson, said he initially thought it was a Halloween prank and that the foot looked like it belonged to a doll, per the outlet.
After realizing it was a human foot, Donaldson called 911, and while the two waited for police, the teenager reportedly spotted a hand as well, Donaldson said, per MLive.
The following day, Stilwell’s car was found by his family at a nearby park, Bay City Public Safety officials said.
On Wednesday, the same day Tweedly was arrested, authorities also allegedly found “additional human remains” believed to be Stilwell’s in another, undisclosed location of the city, they said in a statement.
Following the identification of the victim, T.L. Handy Middle School, where Stilwell worked, issued a statement, per MLive and The Detroit Free Press.
“Justie was a valued member of our Handy family, and we know that this loss will be felt deeply by many,” read part of the statement. “Our thoughts are with Justie’s family and all those affected by this loss.”
The suspect has entered pleas of not guilty to both charges he faces, per Midland Daily News and radio station WSGW. He is being held on $1 million bond, per the outlets. PEOPLE was not able to reach an attorney for him.
