A Washington man has been arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend and attempting to impersonate her in text messages to her friends and family.
Man Charged in Disappearance of Girlfriend
Kendrick Deshaun Bruce, 30, was taken into custody on May 21 in connection with the disappearance of 37-year-old Tomorrow Dawn Dill-Pickett.
He faces charges of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree identity theft, and unlawful disposal of human remains in Pierce County Superior Court, according to the probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
Authorities believe Dill-Pickett was killed in Tacoma, Washington, sometime between March 1 and March 28. Her friend in Idaho first reported her missing on April 1 after not hearing from her since March 23.
Suspicious Activity Before Disappearance
When Tacoma police first visited Dill-Pickett’s apartment on April 2, the home appeared normal. A neighbor reported she had not been seen for about a month. Friends noticed unusual messages from Dill-Pickett’s phone and believed she was in a chaotic relationship with Bruce, her former manager.
Her son’s father, Bryant Smith, told investigators that Dill-Pickett had warned him, “If anything happens to me, Kendrick did it.”
She allegedly showed him physical marks she claimed were from Bruce and said he threatened her, telling her, “Nobody would find your body.” She also reportedly accused Bruce of abuse in December 2025.
Attempts to Conceal the Crime
According to the affidavit, Bruce allegedly stayed with the mother of his child around March 5 or 6 and acted strangely. He asked her to lie to police and claimed he and Dill-Pickett had broken up during a trip. He also allegedly made suspicious trips and purchases to avoid detection.
Investigators obtained search warrants on April 28 for Bruce’s cell phones, GPS data, vehicle, and Dill-Pickett’s phone.
A traffic stop on May 14 led to his questioning for identity theft linked to Dill-Pickett’s accounts.
Searches of his home, car, and phones revealed cadaver dog alerts and Google searches between March 5-7 such as, “how to knock someone out,” “how long does it take a body to start stinking after death,” and “how to clean up blood from carpet.”
Evidence Found in Home
Forensic staff found blood droplets in multiple areas of Bruce’s home, including the living room, hallways, bedrooms, bathroom floor, and inside the bathtub. Dill-Pickett’s body has not yet been found.
Arrest and Court Details
Bruce was arrested on May 21 and is being held on a $2 million bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 10. Authorities continue to investigate the case, and Dill-Pickett’s loved ones hope for closure.
Her son’s father, Bryant Smith, said, “We need closure and to be able to give Dawn a final resting place. The thought of her decomposing in the wilderness somewhere just guts me. Her son deserves to have a final sendoff. I hope he pays to the fullest extent of the law.”
This disturbing case underscores the dangers of domestic abuse and the lengths perpetrators may go to conceal violent crimes.
