Murder charges have been filed in the Imperial Stewart case. Here's what we know now.
A nearly two-week search for missing 17-year-old Imperial Stewart ended Tuesday night after Columbus police found human remains on the city's Northeast Side.
While police said the remains are officially unidentified until the Franklin County Coroner's office provides confirmation, Stewart's family and court records have said the remains are those of Stewart.
The discovery brings to a close the search that began after Stewart was last seen on Sept. 20.
What happened to Imperial Stewart?
Stewart was last seen in the Cleveland Avenue and Huy Road area in a black Chrysler 300 with a temporary tag. Columbus police said Stewart was believed to be with Michael Bowles, 20, and Mi'Quel Bowles, 18, who police eventually identified on Sept. 25 as persons of interest in the case.
On Tuesday, a murder charge was filed against Michael Bowles in Franklin County Municipal Court. According to those court records, the Bowles brothers and a 16-year-old were in the vehicle with Stewart on Sept. 20.
The court records said around 7:10 p.m. on Sept. 20, Stewart had paid Michael Bowles for a firearm. The 16-year-old attempted to rob Stewart of that gun after the transaction, and Stewart "resisted," according to court records, which is when Michael Bowles shot Stewart.
According to court records, the shooting happened on Lonsdale Road near Ivyhurst Drive in the Pine Hills area on the East Side, just northwest of the Interstates 270 and 70 interchange.
The coroner will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
After the shooting, the Bowles brothers drove to a family member's home, according to court records. Mi'Quel Bowles, who allegedly had been shot during the altercation, was also dropped off at the home. The brothers and their mother, Tywisha Peterson, 40, allegedly discussed getting rid of the car, which someone set on fire in Fairfield County.
Columbus police took the car to its impound lot where it underwent a forensic examination.
Who is facing charges in the case?
Columbus police have charged six people in connection with the case so far.
Michael Bowles, 20, is charged with murder and is accused of being the person who shot Stewart, according to court records. Bowles was arrested around 11 a.m. Wednesday, Columbus police said.
The 16-year-old, whom the Dispatch is not naming because he has not yet been charged as an adult, is facing delinquency charges of murder, obstruction of justice and robbery in Franklin County juvenile court, according to police.
Mi'Quel Bowles, 18, is currently faces a felony charge of obstructing justice. Court records said he is accused of lying about having any knowledge of Stewart's disappearance or being in the car when the shooting occurred, despite witness statements and physical evidence to the contrary. He had his first court appearance Tuesday in Franklin County Municipal Court and his bond was set at $500,000.
Tywisha Peterson, 40, also faces a felony charge of obstructing justice. Prosecutors said Peterson is accused of talking with her sons about how to get rid of a vehicle involved in a murder. Peterson lied about the conversation or being at the family member's home where the conversation took place, despite multiple witness statements that contradicted that. Peterson's bond was set at $500,000 during an appearance in Franklin County Municipal Court on Tuesday.
Genee Dumas, 39, is facing a felony charge of obstruction and charges of tampering with evidence and resisting arrest. Court records said detectives interviewd Dumas' 17-year-old daughter Sept. 29 with Dumas present. During the interview, Dumas smashed her daughter's phone into a hard surface in an effort to break it, as well as telling her daughter to do the same, according to police. Authorities released Dumas on her own recognizance after a Sept. 30 hearing.
The 17-year-old girl faces delinquency charges of obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence and resisting arrest.
What has Stewart's family said?
Following Tuesday night's discovery, members of Stewart's family took to social media to thank the community for the prayers and support during the search for the missing teen.
Dyshaha Lena'a, one of Stewart's aunts, said on social media: "I want to thank everyone who shared and helped search for Imperial ... yes he has been found... please continue to pray for our family." The post is followed by a crying emoji and a broken heart.
During Mi'Quel Bowles and Peterson's court hearings on Tuesday, members of Stewart's family were present. After the hearing, members of Bowles' family and Stewart's family had to be separated by courthouse security after exchanging words in the hallway.
Where was Stewart's body found?
Columbus police said the remains were found near Sunbury Road and Agler Road on the city's Northeast Side on the property of Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church on Sunbury Road. Family members have said the body was in an abandoned house.
Investigators used cadaver dogs to help locate Stewart's body, police said, although information has not been released about why police searched that area.
Until Tuesday, police had said Stewart's case was considered a missing person case but suspected foul play and had homicide detectives leading the investigation. On Tuesday, police said they believed Stewart was deceased. Hours later, his body was found.
bbruner@dispatch.com
@bethany_bruner
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Murder charges filed in Imperial Stewart case. Here's what we know
