Detroit man charged in murders of missing 4-year-old and mother
(WJBK) - A 34-year-old Detroit man has been charged in the deaths of the 4-year-old subject of an Amber Alert and her mother.
Detroit resident Marcus Tyrone Hightower has been charged in the deaths of Savannah and Heidi Walker. He faces two counts of first-degree murder, and one count of each of the following charges: felony murder, first-degree child abuse, unlawful inprisonment and third-degree arson.
The arraignment was expected to take place on Wednesday, but the defendent had a video arraignment and remanded to jail on Tuesday in the late afternoon.
Hightower turned himself in on Sunday and was questioned by police.
Savannah was the subject of an Amber Alert issued Saturday, February 20. Heidi's body was found in a burned-out home on the Detroit's west side. A second body was found, but Detroit Chief James Craig later said they would like to do more DNA testing before confirming, adding her injuries were so severe that a positive ID could not yet be made.
Detroit police said that an older daughter identified Savannah's mother. Police have not confirmed how the two were killed but the case is under review by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
A Gofundme account has been set up in honor of Savannah and Heidi Walker to help pay for a memorial service. Click here for more information.