WESTLAND, Mich. – Police said two men have been charged with killing 16-year-old Carlee Jade Morse.
Nicholas Cottrell, 19, from Taylor and 22-year-old Justin Yoshikawa from Canton were arrested after they told police that they killed Morse by strangling her, police said.
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On Monday, Cottrell and Yoshikawa were charged with first-degree murder. Bond was denied and a preliminary exam is scheduled for Dec. 23 at the 18th District Court in Westland.
According to police reports Cottrell is a repeat offender.
Police said the two men have not said where Morse's body is and police are continuing a search for her remains.
Friends and family members of Morse said she stepped out of her apartment building on Aug. 19. That was the last day she had been seen or heard from.
Morse's stepfather, Patrick Maloy, said he helped raise her.
"Carlee was a spirit and a half," Maloy said. "She had a glow about her. If you knew Carlee, it's just not right."
Police said it is likely Morse was killed just an hour after she left her apartment that day. Police believe Cottrell and Yoshikawa are people she considered friends.