WRREN (WWJ) -- A Warren man faces life behind bars for killing his roommate back in 2023, and then trying to conceal the murder help from an accomplice.
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office said 26-year-old Donald Renfroe on Monday pleaded no contest to charges of second degree murder, tampering with evidence, concealing the death of an individual, and a gun charge in connection with the death of James Wilkins.
Wilkins — a father and football coach — went missing on June 9, 2023, under what investigators said were "suspicious circumstances." Family and friends of the 27-year-old alerted police after he failed to show up for work.
More than four months later, Wilkins' body was dug up in Northern Michigan's Oscoda Township, about a three hour drive from Warren, by Warren police with the help from state troopers, a cadaver dog, the U.S. Park Service and Oscoda public safety officers.
Detectives were able to find evidence of a shooting inside the Warren apartment that Renfroe and Wilkins shared, according to prosecutors. Police concluded that the two men got into a fight, and shots were fired.
On the day Wilkins was reported missing, police discovered that Renfroe rented cleaning equipment and bought cleaning supplies from a local hardware store. Investigators claimed Renfroe contacted a friend, Darius Glenn, and the two cleaned up the apartment before going together to dispose of the body.
In April of last year, Glenn testified against Renfroe as part of his plea bargain.
Renfroe's sentencing is scheduled for July 7.