A Washington man has been charged with murder after investigators accused him of killing his girlfriend and then pretending to be her through text messages sent to her friends and family. Authorities say the disturbing case involves allegations of domestic abuse, identity theft, and attempts to cover up the woman’s disappearance.
Police are still searching for the body of 37-year-old Tomorrow Dawn Dill-Pickett as the investigation continues in Tacoma, Washington.
Washington Man Charged in Girlfriend’s Disappearance
According to court documents, 30-year-old Kendrick Deshaun Bruce was arrested on May 21 in connection with Dill-Pickett’s disappearance.
Authorities charged Bruce with:
- First-degree murder
- Unlawful disposal of human remains
- Two counts of second-degree identity theft
Investigators believe Dill-Pickett was killed sometime between March 1 and March 28.
Friends Became Suspicious of Text Messages
The case reportedly began after one of Dill-Pickett’s friends from Idaho contacted police on April 1 after becoming concerned about her disappearance.
Friends later told investigators that text messages coming from Dill-Pickett’s phone seemed unusual and unlike her normal way of communicating.
According to reports, she stopped speaking to loved ones over the phone and only responded through text messages.
Her father also reportedly noticed that her messages sounded different from her usual communication style.
Investigators now believe Bruce may have been pretending to be Dill-Pickett in those conversations.
Family and Friends Reportedly Feared Abuse
Court documents revealed troubling allegations about the couple’s relationship.
Friends and family members reportedly told police that Dill-Pickett had described her relationship with Bruce as chaotic and abusive.
According to investigators:
- She allegedly showed friends photos of injuries
- She reportedly warned others that Bruce threatened her
- Her son’s father claimed she once said, “If anything happens to me, Kendrick did it”
Authorities said she also allegedly told family members that Bruce threatened nobody would ever find her body.
Police Found Suspicious Internet Searches
Investigators later searched Bruce’s electronic devices and allegedly discovered disturbing Google searches made in early March.
According to court records, the searches allegedly included:
- “How to knock someone out”
- “How long does it take a body to start stinking after death”
- “How to clean up blood from carpet”
Police also said cadaver dogs alerted officers to areas inside Bruce’s vehicle during the investigation.
Blood Evidence Found During Search
Authorities searched Bruce’s home and reported finding suspected blood evidence in several areas of the property.
According to investigators, blood was allegedly found:
- On floors
- In the bathroom
- In bedrooms
- Inside the bathtub
Officials said forensic testing is continuing as part of the investigation.
Body Still Missing
Despite the murder charges, prosecutors confirmed that Dill-Pickett’s body has not yet been found.
Her loved ones continue to search for answers and hope authorities can recover her remains.
Bryant Smith, the father of her son, described Dill-Pickett as a caring and genuine person.
He reportedly said the family wants closure and hopes her son can eventually give her a proper farewell.
Bruce Held on $2 Million Bond
Bruce is currently being held on a $2 million bond.
He is scheduled to appear in court again on June 10.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue searching for additional evidence connected to the case.
