Michigan Man Charged in Brutal Murder of Hard-of-Hearing Bay City Resident
Bay City, MI – The brutal murder of Justie Stilwell, a 41-year-old hard-of-hearing man from Bay City, has left a community reeling. Police have charged 43-year-old Robert D. Tweedly, Jr. with open murder and mutilation of a dead body after a chilling series of events that began with an encounter facilitated by the dating app Grindr.
The Case Unfolds
Stilwell was last seen leaving his home on September 14 to meet Tweedly, whom he had connected with on Grindr. According to court documents, the two had been acquainted for a few months. When Stilwell failed to return or respond to messages, his family grew concerned.
Police began their investigation after Stilwell’s siblings found his car abandoned at a local park. Soon after, a teenage girl discovered human remains—arms and legs—floating in a nearby river.
A Chilling Confession
Police detained Tweedly at his residence on September 25, where they served a search warrant. In an interview with detectives, Tweedly confessed to the murder. He claimed that Stilwell visited his home and wanted to leave shortly after arriving. Tweedly, under the influence of alcohol and methamphetamine, said he “snapped,” pushing Stilwell down a flight of basement stairs before strangling him.
Unable to move Stilwell’s body, Tweedly admitted to purchasing an ax and plastic bags from Walmart the following day. He dismembered the body and disposed of the remains in separate locations—dumping limbs into a river and the torso in a wooded area.
Back at his home, Tweedly attempted to destroy evidence by burning items such as a mop, clothing, and the ax in a backyard fire pit. Police later found charred remains of these items, along with electronic fragments and concrete strikes in the basement consistent with an ax.
Social Media and Psychological Concerns
In the weeks leading up to the murder, Tweedly made troubling social media posts, including comparisons to serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer and expressions of suicidal thoughts and financial despair. On the day of Stilwell’s death, he wrote that he was “tired” and “hated himself.”
Authorities have ordered a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether Tweedly is competent to stand trial.
Victim Remembered
Stilwell, described as kind and beloved by his family and friends, leaves behind a mother, two brothers, a sister, and a cherished pet cat. His death has sparked grief throughout the Bay City community and beyond.
Tweedly is currently held on a $1 million bond. His next court date is scheduled for January, where the proceedings will begin to determine justice for Stilwell and closure for his grieving family.
This tragedy highlights the importance of safety precautions when meeting individuals through online platforms and the need for vigilance in mental health awareness and intervention.
