BAY CITY, MI – Disturbing new details emerged Tuesday as a Michigan man charged with the brutal killing and dismemberment of an acquaintance he met on a dating app was ordered to stand trial, following a judge’s ruling after evidence was presented in a preliminary hearing.
Robert Dale Tweedly Jr., 40, faces charges of open murder and mutilation of a body in connection to the death of Justie Stilwell, 41, whose remains were discovered scattered across multiple locations in Bay City in September. Authorities say the two men connected through the Grindr app before the violence unfolded.
Family members of Stilwell, who worked as a custodian in a local middle school, reported him missing on September 18 when he failed to show up for work. That same day, a young girl stumbled upon a severed foot in the Saginaw River near a popular boat launch, prompting police to launch a homicide investigation.
According to investigators, a search of Tweedly’s residence uncovered crucial evidence linking him to the killing. Detectives allege that Tweedly pushed Stilwell down a flight of stairs and then strangled him, ultimately dismembering the body in his basement.
Authorities testified in court that following his arrest on September 25, Tweedly provided information that led investigators to additional remains, including Stilwell’s head and torso at another location. Forensic experts determined that the cause of death was strangulation and blunt force injury to the head, with post-mortem mutilation.
During the hearing, police described how Tweedly appeared eager to explain his actions once in custody. He allegedly told investigators he had been drinking heavily and using methamphetamine the night of the killing, and expressed confusion and remorse during his statements, according to court documents.
Tweedly recounted to detectives that Stillwell came to his home to offer comfort, but an argument escalated, resulting in the fatal attack. Tweedly claimed to have no clear memory of the violent episode, implying that intoxication may have affected his awareness.
Authorities discovered Stilwell’s vehicle parked across the river from where his remains were found. Further examination of Tweedly’s home yielded evidence suggesting the use of a large ax and lawn bags to dispose of the body.
Police say their investigation uncovered social media posts allegedly authored by Tweedly in the months leading up to the killing, in which he referenced notorious serial killers, expressed feelings of depression, and alluded to harming others. These deleted posts were recovered and confirmed by law enforcement, according to statements in court.
Court records indicate that Tweedly frequently expressed frustrations about his personal life and shared alarming comments about suicidal and homicidal thoughts on his social media profile.
At the conclusion of the preliminary examination, a judge determined there was enough evidence to proceed to trial. Tweedly remains in custody as Bay County prosecutors move forward with the case. A date for the trial has not yet been scheduled.