TAMPA, Fla. — A 17-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder following a shocking confession made during a 911 call that linked him to the death of a local woman. Authorities arrested Justin Hawker after he allegedly led officers to crucial evidence in the case involving 37-year-old Andie Morrell, whose disappearance and subsequent murder have raised serious concerns in the community.
Morrell, an exotic dancer known for making house calls, was reported missing on September 10. Her roommate last heard from her that evening through a text message indicating she was heading to an address that would later be identified as Hawker’s home. Family members, anxious for her safety, utilized a cellphone tracking app that pinpointed Morrell’s device at the same location since her last message.
The search for Morrell intensified and culminated in tragedy on September 19, when authorities discovered her body buried in a vacant lot behind a commercial property. Police reported that her remains were found wrapped in bedding and duct tape, raising alarming questions about the circumstances surrounding her death.
Investigators combed through surveillance footage from a nearby business, revealing significant insights into the case. The morning following Morrell’s disappearance, a vehicle that had been reported stolen was captured on camera entering the lot where her body was later found. A male resembling Hawker was observed exiting the vehicle and bringing a gas can to the scene, where he reportedly made an attempt to ignite the remains before abandoning the car after removing the license plates.
Upon visiting Hawker’s residence to conduct interviews, law enforcement officers observed unusual behavior from both him and his 15-year-old girlfriend. The strong odor of bleach emanating from the home raised suspicions, as did several stains found on the carpet—attributed by his girlfriend to cleaning efforts following a mishap. An additional resident in the household was confirmed to have been away during the critical period.
A subsequent search warrant granted detectives access to the home, unveiling blood spots in the living room, an empty magazine for a firearm, clothing akin to what was captured on surveillance, and a roll of duct tape. Initially, Hawker claimed he was stargazing at a nearby park and later insisted he had been cleaning under the influence of hallucinogenic mushrooms before requesting legal representation.
Witness testimony painted a broader picture of events leading up to Morrell’s death. Neighbors reported seeing a woman resembling Morrell on Hawker’s porch the night she disappeared, along with sounds resembling gunshots shortly thereafter. Another witness, a friend of Hawker’s girlfriend, even claimed to have seen the same firearm found in Hawker’s room during a video call that evening.
An autopsy concluded that Morrell succumbed to a gunshot wound to the chest, inflicting grave damage to her aorta and right lung. The assembly of forensic evidence, coupled with the suspect’s own recorded confession during the emergency call, ultimately prompted law enforcement to charge Hawker.
Charged as an adult, Hawker is facing counts of second-degree murder with a firearm and tampering with evidence. Following a recent court appearance, a judge ordered him to be held without bail, with an arraignment scheduled for October 13. Investigations into the details surrounding Morrell’s death continue, as authorities work to uncover the full scope of the crime and its implications for the community at large.