Florida Teen Calls 911 to Confess After Killing Woman and Dumping Her Body Behind Building — ‘Stargazing’ Alibi Falls Apart, Prosecutors Say
TAMPA, FLORIDA — A 17-year-old Florida teen accused of killing a woman and dumping her body behind a commercial building called 911 to confess after his far-fetched “stargazing” alibi crumbled under police investigation, according to prosecutors.
Authorities say Justin Hawker fatally shot 37-year-old Andie Morrell inside his home before wrapping her body in bedding and duct tape and leaving it behind a nearby building in Hillsborough County.
Murder Investigation Unfolds
According to court records reviewed by prosecutors, Hawker called 911 on September 20 and told dispatchers, “I was involved in a homicide.”
The confession came just hours after police discovered Morrell’s body wrapped in bedding and duct tape in a vacant lot on September 19.
Morrell, an exotic dancer who made private house visits, was reported missing after failing to return home on September 10. Her roommate told investigators that she had texted earlier that night, saying she was heading to Hawker’s address.
When Morrell didn’t respond to messages, her family tracked her phone to Hawker’s residence, where it had remained stationary since the night she disappeared.
Surveillance Footage Reveals Grim Scene
Investigators soon located security footage from the business where Morrell’s body was found. The footage showed a stolen car entering the lot around 5 a.m. on September 11.
A man matching Hawker’s description exited the vehicle, carrying a gas can, and appeared to pour liquid on the body in an apparent attempt to set it on fire.
The same car was later caught on another camera crashing into a median, where the driver removed the license plates and fled on foot.
Police Discover Bleach Stains and Firearm Evidence
When detectives visited Hawker’s home, they said he appeared nervous while answering questions. Deputies immediately noticed a strong odor of bleach and stains on the carpet, which Hawker’s 15-year-old girlfriend claimed were from her cleaning efforts.
After obtaining a search warrant, police found blood spots in the living room, an empty gun magazine, clothing matching the suspect in the surveillance footage, and a roll of duct tape.
“The physical evidence directly contradicted his story about stargazing,” prosecutors said, noting that Hawker had tried to claim he spent the night “looking at the stars” at a nearby playground before falling asleep.
An autopsy later confirmed that Morrell died from a gunshot wound that pierced her aorta and right lung.
Teen’s Story Collapses
Hawker initially told deputies he had been outside stargazing the night of the killing and returned home hours later to find nothing unusual. When confronted about the bleach stains, he said he had been “cleaning another mess.”
He later admitted he was “under the influence of mushrooms” and stopped cooperating, demanding a lawyer.
However, when witnesses told police they heard “two loud bangs” coming from Hawker’s home that same night, and footage placed his vehicle at the dump site, the teen’s story completely fell apart.
Charged as an Adult
Hawker, now charged as an adult, faces second-degree murder with a firearm and tampering with evidence.
He remains held without bond at the Hillsborough County Jail and is scheduled for arraignment on October 13.
“This was a disturbing, premeditated act by a 17-year-old who went to great lengths to hide what he had done,” prosecutors said in a statement.
This shocking case has shaken Tampa residents and raised new questions about violent behavior among teens. For continuing updates on high-profile crime and justice stories, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.