ALPENA (WWJ) -- Murder charges have been filed against two men following an investigation into the disappearance of two women in Northern Michigan.
In a Wednesday press release, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski announced that charges have been filed against 36-year-old Brad Srebnik and 35-year-old Joshua Wirgau. Both men are from Alpena, and both have criminal records.
Srebnik stands accused of killing Brynn Bills in August 2021. Both men then allegedly murdered Abby Hill in September 2021 to keep her from revealing information about Bills' death.
Michigan State Police (MSP) opened a criminal investigation into the reported disappearance of 17-year-old Bills in August 2021.
By September, MSP was able to identify Srebnik, Wiragu and Hill as persons of interest. They had also determined that Hill was the last person to see Bills alive.
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Based on Facebook Messenger conversations and eyewitness testimony, police believe that Hill picked up Bills early in the morning on August 2. The prosecution alleges that Bills was killed by Srebnik, and that her body was buried in the backyard of Wirgau's home, shortly after she and Hill parted.
On September 25, Srebnik, Wirgau and Hill were dropped off in a remote area of Alpena. The prosecution claims Hill was executed there, and that her body was left, to stop her from sharing what she knew about Bills' death.
Two first-degree murder charges have been filed against Srebnik.
One first-degree murder charge and one count of being an accessory after the fact have been filed against Wirgau.
The two men also face one count each of disinterment and mutilation of a dead body for burying Bills and two felony firearms charges apiece.
“There is no charge or punishment that will alleviate the grief felt by the families and loved ones of these two women," said AG Nessel, "but I am committed to holding responsible their killers and will exhaust all resources to see justice delivered."
Srebnik and Wirgau will be arraigned in 88th District Court before Judge Allan M. Curtis on Thursday, October 20.
Both men are currently serving two years in prison after pleading guilty to felony firearm possession charges in February 2022.
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