South Hill teenager in custody while investigators search for body

PUYALLUP, Wash. — A South Hill teenager is accused of savagely beating a friend to death with a frying pan, then asking another friend to help him get rid of the body.

Wednesday night the victim’s loved ones gathered at Spanaway Lake, to remember 18 year old Justin Morris.

“He didn’t deserve this.  It was shameful.  It was cowardly what happened to him, “ said Katrina Allen, the victim’s aunt.

Tom Allen, the victim’s uncle wishes the suspect would cooperate with police.  They still haven’t found Morris’ body.

“I wish the guy that did it would understand there’s people out here wondering why, “ said Allen.

Michael Breer, 19, was ordered jailed on a 72-hour hold and $2 million bail while investigators continue to search for the body of the victim, Justin Morris.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Breer called another friend to help him dispose of Morris' body after beating him to death on July 10.

"That friend then contacted law enforcement, let them know what he had seen," said Deputy Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Penner.

The affidavit states the witness went to Breer's home in South Hill where Breer admitted beating Morris to death, stating he went through a couple of pans during the killing.

The witness told investigators he saw blood spattered on the wall of the home and a large blood stain on the floor. He also saw a body wrapped in a blanket with a leg sticking out of it.

The witness told detectives he asked Breer if he had killed Morris and Breer said yes.

Sheriff's detectives obtained a wire order and recorded a conversation between the witness and Breer during which Breer told the witness he had taken care of everything and not to talk to police, the affidavit stated.

Morris' body is still missing, but prosecutors said they are proceeding with a murder charge later this week.

"We don't actually need the remains to proceed on a murder charge," Penner said. "We believe we have enough information to confirm that the victim was, in fact, murdered."

KIRO