Bay City man strangled and dismembered after meeting accused killer on a dating app

BAY CITY, Mich. (WNEM) – New details have been discovered in court records from the investigation into the death and dismemberment of Bay City man Justie Stilwell.

On September 18, Stilwell's arms and lower legs were found at the North Johnson Street boat launch in Bay City.

Related: Bay City officials identify victim whose remains were found

On September 25, 40-year-old Robert Tweedly Jr. was arrested at a home in Bay City and charged on September 27 with open murder, which is a life misdemeanor, and digging up and mutilating a corpse, which is a felony 10 years sentence.

At the arraignment, the prosecution told the court that Tweedly had admitted his involvement in Stilwell's murder.

Related: Bay City man charged with open murder in Justie Stilwell case

According to court documents, details revealed at a probable cause hearing last month say the two men allegedly met on the dating app Grindr. Tweedly allegedly told police that Stilwell came to his house on September 14 but wanted to leave shortly afterwards; He then pushed Stilwell down the basement stairs and strangled him.

After failing to get his body upstairs, Tweedly allegedly went to the Bangor Township Walmart to purchase a rope, but that didn't help, according to court documents.

The next morning, he returned to Walmart to purchase an ax and bags to dismember Stilwell's body. Tweedly allegedly said he then threw the legs and arms into the Saginaw River and placed the head and torso near the boat dock behind the General Motors plant, court records say.

Tweedly remains in jail on a $1 million bond.

A celebration of life for Stilwell will be held tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Skorupski Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Hampton Township. Visitation begins at 2:00 p.m. followed by a private burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

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