Charges Filed in Justie Stilwell’s Death Bay County’s 74th District Court

Robert Dale Tweedly Jr., 40, has been charged with open murder and mutilation of a corpse in connection with the death of Justie Stilwell, 41. Tweedly, a resident of Bay City, pleaded not guilty during a remote arraignment in Bay County’s 74th District Court and is currently being held on a $1 million bond. Stilwell, a custodian at T.L. Handy Middle School, was reported missing on September 18, the same day severed remains were discovered at the Edward Golson Boat Launch. Police confirmed his identity through fingerprint analysis.

The investigation into Stilwell’s disappearance led to Tweedly’s arrest after a search warrant was executed on Elm Street, where additional remains were found. Tweedly has a prior criminal history, including a domestic violence charge in 2015 and a felony conviction in Muskegon in 2010. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Bay City Department of Public Safety or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in solving this case.