PUYALLUP, Wash. - The Pierce County prosecutor has charged an 18-year-old Puyallup man with aggravated murder in the slaying of a 16-year-old girl with developmental disabilities.
Prosecutor Mark Lindquist says Tyler Wolfgang Savage strangled and raped Kimberly "Kimmie" Daily on Aug. 17 and then dumped her body in a thicket of blackberry bushes.
Court documents say Savage told detectives he had known Daily for more than two years.
In court Tuesday, Savage's attorney entered a not guilty plea on his client's behalf and Savage was ordered held without bail.
Lindquist has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
Lindquist said Savage confessed to strangling Daily to death in the course of raping her.
According to court documents, Savage said he convinced Daily to cross the street, which she didn't want to do, prior to leading her to an isolated area. He admitted that he strangled the girl when she tried to leave.
Lindquist said she had been killed before her father reported her missing.
Detectives said Savage told them he was home playing video games after the murder around 4 p.m. last Tuesday.
Daily’s father reported her missing at 5 that afternoon.
Body found Monday
The body of Kimberly Daily was found Monday evening in a vacant lot on 122nd Street East, in the South Hill area of Puyallup - 12 blocks from her home.
The developmentally disabled girl had been missing since last Tuesday when she left her home on a bike to go to a friend's house.
The teen, known for her love for animals, was seen often riding her bike through the neighborhood. The family says she functioned at the level of a 9-year-old due to a disability.
Detectives had questioned the 18-year-old in custody and red flags went up when he had holes in his story.
"They felt that he would eventually lead them to the body. He was cooperative. They could see that he was dealing with this himself as a suspect in this and finally decided to come clean," said Sgt. Mike Blair.
Investigators are searching for evidence on the property where the girl's body was found. They have found her bike, her backpack and half of her cell phone.
Community reacts
“He’s a good kid,” said one of Savage’s neighbors, Jenny Berto.
“My kids adore him.” said Berto, “He’s a happy-go-lucky, loving, trustworthy, friendly kid.”
Savage was enrolled at Emerald Ridge High School in Pierce County. He was scheduled to begin his senior year next month.
Neighbors of Cecil Daily, Kimberly’s father, said he was too upset Tuesday to speak publicly about his daughter’s death.
“My heart is heavy for them, their hearts have to just be broken,” said neighbor Cindy Sexton.
“It’s really hard to know how it’s going to affect the whole community without her,” said Marshelle Rodin, one of Daily's neighbors.
To add a comment, please register or login.