Suspect leads police to remains of Justin Morris, victim in alleged 'Frying Pan Murder'
Justin Morris
PUYALLUP, Wash. -- A murder suspect led police to the remains of Justin Morris, an 18-year-old who was believed attacked and killed by his roommate with a frying pan in 2013.
The body was recovered in the South Hill neighborhood outside of Tacoma, Pierce County sheriff's detective Ed Troyer said. The medical examiner's office will confirm the identity of the body.
Michael Breer, 18, of Puyallup was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Morris in July 2013 even though no body was found at the time. Police arrested Breer after prosecutors allege a witness came to police and told them Breer enlisted help to hide a body.
Breer led police to the remains of Morris and, in return, is expected to plead guilty Thursday to second-degree murder in his roommate's death.
Breer's lawyer, Leslie Tolzin, confirmed his client is expected to plead guilty but declined further comment.
According to the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office, the witness was approached by Breer at 6 a.m. on July 10, 2013. Breer told the witness he killed someone and needed help hiding the body. When the witness asked who Breer killed, the suspect allegedly pointed to Morris’ moped outside and said “him.”
The two then drove to Breer’s residence and the witness allegedly saw blood stains on the walls and floors and Morris’ body was wrapped in blanket in the basement. Breer allegedly told the witness that he went through a “couple of (frying) pans” in killing Morris, and he needed help to load the body in a truck so he could dispose of it. The witness allegedly declined and called police three days later.
Police obtained a wiretap of a conversation between the witness and Breer in which Breer again reportedly admitted to killing Morris. Police obtained a search warrant and when they searched Breer’s house — which he shares with his mother — they said they found blood stains on the walls and the floors that were consistent with the witness’ descriptions. Police also found a shovel covered with ferns and two bottles of bleach in the back of Breer’s pickup truck.
According to the Tacoma News Tribune, Breer and Morris attended Rogers High School in South Hill together.