COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 20-year-old man charged with murder in the disappearance and death of 17-year-old Imperial Stewart was arrested on Wednesday. Five others are charged in connection to the case, including a 16-year-old boy who is also charged with murder.
Stewart was reported missing from the North Linden neighborhood on Sept. 20.
His family said his body was found in a wooded area off Sunbury Road in northeast Columbus Tuesday evening. Columbus police have not publicly said if it was Stewart’s body that was found but said that the Franklin County Coroner’s Office is working to confirm the identity.
The suspects charged in the case are the following:
- Michael Bowles — Murder
- A 16-year-old boy — Murder, Robbery, Obstructing justice
- Mi’Quel Bowles — Obstructing justice
- Tywisha Peterson — Obstructing justice
- Genee Dumas — Obstruction of official business, tampering with evidence and resisting arrest
- A 17-year-old girl — Obstruction of official business, tampering with evidence and resisting arrest
Officers arrested Michael around 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Mi'Quel Bowles, Dumas, Peterson and the two juveniles are already in custody.
According to Franklin County Municipal Court documents, Stewart was in a vehicle with a 16-year-old boy on Sept. 20 when they tried to rob Stewart of a gun he had just bought from 20-year-old Michael Bowles. A struggle ensued and Michael shot Stewart, documents say.
Previous court documents say Michael’s brother Mi'Quel was shot in a Chrysler 300 during the robbery. The documents also added that the vehicle belonged to Michael.
Witnesses told police that Michael dropped Mi'Quel off in the Chrysler at his grandfather's house after he was shot. Mi'Quel denied being in the car with his brother or having any knowledge of the missing person report or possible murder of Stewart.
Court documents say Tywisha Peterson, who is Michael and Mi'Quel's mother, was questioned by Columbus police on Oct. 2 where witnesses claimed they saw her speaking with Michael "after the possible murder." Police wrote in the affidavit that she allegedly took part in a conversation on how to get rid of the vehicle used in the murder.
Police later found the vehicle burned in Fairfield County. Peterson denied having anything to do with the case, according to court records.
Court records say that Dumas was seen by multiple officers attempting to tamper with evidence by smashing her phone and allegedly told her daughter to do the same. Police wrote in the affidavit that Dumas pushed and pulled against officers during her arrest.
Anyone with information regarding the suspects or the incident is asked to call 614-774-7865. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers by calling 614-461-TIPS (8477).
Michael Bowles appeared in court Thursday morning and was given a $5 million bond.