'He's dead. I killed him': Teen brags to classmate after tying 16-year-old to tree and strangling him on park trail, police say

A Wisconsin teenager and an older accomplice are accused of preplanning and executing the torture and murder of a 16-year-old boy along a park trail, according to authorities and court records.

Law enforcement officials in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, investigated the disappearance and subsequent death of 16-year-old Payton Vertz, whose body was discovered floating in a marina after being reported missing by his family.

Incident Overview

According to a criminal complaint reviewed by Law and Crime, 16-year-old Payton Vertz was last seen by his family on Oct. 5 and initially reported as a runaway. On Oct. 16, his body was found floating in a Two Rivers marina. Investigators allege that 26-year-old Dominic Pilgreen and 15-year-old Nathan Reichard lured Payton to Zander Park after getting him intoxicated, took him down the Ice Age Trail, and began beating him. The suspects allegedly tied Payton to a tree, beat him, whipped him with a belt, and ultimately strangled him before dumping his body in the river and burning his clothing.

Timeline of Events

1. Oct. 4: Nathan Reichard and a female student visited Dominic Pilgreen at an encampment in Zander Park, where they allegedly decided that Payton Vertz needed to be killed, and Pilgreen purchased alcohol to intoxicate the victim.
2. Oct. 5: Payton Vertz was reported as a runaway after going missing, while the suspects allegedly carried out the attack along the Ice Age Trail.
3. Oct. 16: Payton's body was found floating in a marina in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
4. Nov. 2: Scheduled court appearance date for both suspects in Manitowoc County.

Suspect Information

Dominic Pilgreen, 26, was held at the Waukesha County Jail. Nathan Reichard, 15, appeared in court where Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre detailed the allegations. According to police, Pilgreen was living in an encampment in Zander Park.

Victim Information

The victim is identified as 16-year-old Payton Vertz. According to the complaint, Payton was initially reported as a runaway by his family after he left home on Oct. 5, before his body was later discovered in a Two Rivers marina on Oct. 16.

Police Response

Two Rivers Police Department officers and detectives responded after receiving tips from classmates of the suspects, interviewing witnesses, and subsequently taking statements from Nathan Reichard when he went to the police department himself.

Investigation

The investigation involved Two Rivers police detectives interviewing witnesses, including students from Two Rivers High School who reported hearing statements from Reichard about the crime. Authorities also gathered statements from Pilgreen regarding the planning and execution of the attack.

Evidence Collected

• A bruised hand on the suspect
• Alcohol, specifically vodka and beer, purchased to intoxicate the victim
• The victim's belt used in the attack
• A wagon used to transport the body
• A red towel used to muffle screams
• The victim's clothing, which was burned

Arrest Details

Nathan Reichard went to the Two Rivers Police Department himself to describe his involvement, while Dominic Pilgreen was questioned and subsequently held in custody at the Waukesha County Jail.

Charges Filed

• First-degree intentional homicide: A felony charge alleging the intentional and unlawful killing of another person.
• Physical abuse of a child: A felony charge involving acts of violence or abuse directed against a minor.
• Hiding a corpse: A felony charge for concealing, moving, or destroying a dead body to prevent discovery.
• Theft from a corpse: A criminal charge related to taking property belonging to a deceased individual.
• False imprisonment: A felony charge involving the intentional and unlawful confinement or restraint of another person.

Court Information

The case is being handled in Manitowoc County court. During an initial court appearance, Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre prosecuted the case before Judge Jewel Scharenbroch, who set Reichard's bond at $500,000 cash. Both suspects are scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 2.

Statements from Authorities

Manitowoc County District Attorney Jacalyn LaBre stated during a court appearance that the suspects preplanned the attack, noting they initially intended to hold the victim for multiple days before altering their plan. Judge Jewel Scharenbroch described the alleged crime as brutal and depraved during the proceedings.

Public Safety Information

Anyone with information regarding violent crimes or local safety concerns is encouraged to contact local law enforcement or dial 911 immediately. For individuals or families affected by violence or trauma, support and resources can be accessed nationally.

What Happens Next

The accused individuals will proceed through the judicial process, which typically includes formal arraignment hearings, pre-trial conferences, motion hearings, and ultimately trial proceedings unless a plea agreement is reached between prosecutors and defense counsel.