Man accused of killing landlord with ax, wrapping body in tarp, and covering it with wire fencing
05/24/2023 1:24 pm PDT
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (TCD) -- A 24-year-old man was taken into custody this week for allegedly fatally beating his landlord with an ax and hiding his body under a tarp on the property.
On Monday, May 22, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Tiverton Police contacted the Portsmouth Police Department and asked them to conduct a welfare check on the victim, Xue Feng Wu. Wu reportedly left his home in Tiverton that morning to check on a property in Portsmouth and never returned. Portsmouth Police officers went to the Portsmouth property located on West Main Road and spoke with Jacob Morrill, who allegedly said Wu was there earlier that day but left to go to court in Providence.
Less than two hours later, Morrill reportedly called Portsmouth Police and informed them he "struck and killed Mr. Wu."
Morrill met up with officers at a gas station near the residence and was taken into custody. Police found Wu’s body on a path near a wooded area. Police said Wu’s body was "wrapped in a tarp and held down in place by a section of wire fencing and other objects in an area of brush."
Police noted Wu suffered "apparent severe injuries to his head."
During their investigation, police learned Morrill and Wu allegedly got into an argument in the garage, and Morrill struck him in the head with an ax. Morrill then allegedly moved Wu’s body to the wooded area.
Police obtained a search warrant and seized evidence from the home, including the suspected weapon.
Morrill was booked on a charge of first-degree murder. Court records show a judge ordered him to be held without bail.
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