Teen charged in frying pan murder case even though no body found

TACOMA -- An 18-year-old was charged with murder Friday for allegedly killing another teen with a frying pan, even though no body has been found.

Pierce County prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Michael Breer of Puyallup with first-degree murder in the case.

The 18-year-old was also charged with one count of possession of child porn for alleged images found on his cell phone.

“We have everything we need to prove murder,” said Lindquist. “The investigation continues, but our prosecution will move forward with or without the body.”

Police are searching wooded areas around Pierce County for the body of 18-year-old Justin Morris, who police believed was recently killed by his friend.

Police arrested Breer after prosecutors allege a witness came to police and told them Breer enlisted help to hide Morris' body on July 10. Family members reported Morris missing on July 15.

According to the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office, the witness was approached by Breer at 6 a.m. on July 10. 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.