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Detroit Mother Charged in Homicide of Nine-Year-Old Son
Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Brandee Katrice Pierce, 41, of Detroit, in connection with the homicide of her nine-year-old son, Zemar King.
On January 6, 2025, at approximately 1:22 p.m., Detroit police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 19700 block of Woodingham for reports of found human remains. The landlord called the police because he was working at the house to prepare for a new tenant when he discovered a shallow grave. Upon their arrival, officers discovered the remains of a deceased child buried in the backyard of the home. The medical examiner ruled the victim's death a homicide from smothering and compression to the neck.
It is alleged that on October 24, 2024, Defendant Pierce fatally assaulted her son, Zemar. It is also alleged that the defendant buried Zemar's deceased body in the backyard of the home. On November 6, 2024, she abandoned her rental home and left the state for Georgia with her three-year-old son.
On December 20, 2024, the Brookhaven Police Department in Atlanta, Georgia, investigated Defendant Pierce on an unrelated matter concerning her surviving son and alerted the Detroit Police Department. The Detroit Police Department assisted by the Cobb County Sherriff's Office, the FBI and Michigan State Police investigated the homicide of Zemar and arrested her in Georgia in connection with his homicide. More complete facts and evidence will be placed on the record in court at the preliminary examination.
"I have been a prosecutor for a long time, and I often say that I have seen it all. The horrors of this child abuse case defy that. The alleged actions of this defendant are among the most callous I have seen and hope never to see again," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Brandee Katrice Pierce has been charged with: Count One: First-Degree Murder, Count Two: Felony Murder, Count Three: First-Degree Child Abuse, Count Four: Tampering with Evidence, and Count Five: Concealing the Death of an Individual.* The charges were authorized by Judge Aliyah Sabree on February 4, 2025. The defendant will be extradited from Georgia to Michigan. An update will be sent out when she is returned to Michigan.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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On January 6, 2025, at approximately 1:22 p.m., Detroit police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 19700 block of Woodingham for reports of found human remains. The landlord called the police because he was working at the house to prepare for a new tenant when he discovered a shallow grave. Upon their arrival, officers discovered the remains of a deceased child buried in the backyard of the home. The medical examiner ruled the victim's death a homicide from smothering and compression to the neck.
It is alleged that on October 24, 2024, Defendant Pierce fatally assaulted her son, Zemar. It is also alleged that the defendant buried Zemar's deceased body in the backyard of the home. On November 6, 2024, she abandoned her rental home and left the state for Georgia with her three-year-old son.
On December 20, 2024, the Brookhaven Police Department in Atlanta, Georgia, investigated Defendant Pierce on an unrelated matter concerning her surviving son and alerted the Detroit Police Department. The Detroit Police Department assisted by the Cobb County Sherriff's Office, the FBI and Michigan State Police investigated the homicide of Zemar and arrested her in Georgia in connection with his homicide. More complete facts and evidence will be placed on the record in court at the preliminary examination.
"I have been a prosecutor for a long time, and I often say that I have seen it all. The horrors of this child abuse case defy that. The alleged actions of this defendant are among the most callous I have seen and hope never to see again," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy.
Brandee Katrice Pierce has been charged with: Count One: First-Degree Murder, Count Two: Felony Murder, Count Three: First-Degree Child Abuse, Count Four: Tampering with Evidence, and Count Five: Concealing the Death of an Individual.* The charges were authorized by Judge Aliyah Sabree on February 4, 2025. The defendant will be extradited from Georgia to Michigan. An update will be sent out when she is returned to Michigan.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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