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Man Ordered Held Without Bond In Murder Of Chelsea Bruck

MONROE (WWJ/AP) - A 27-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Chelsea Bruck — who disappeared after a Halloween party in Monroe County in 2014.

Daniel Clay was arrested Friday at his home in Frenchtown Township.

Appearing in court for an arrangement Monday, the accused said he's unemployed and needs a lawyer. He agreed when the prosecutor recommended that he be held in jail without bond.

Assistant prosecutor Michael Roehrig told reporters that Clay wasn't charged with first-degree murder because investigators don't believe the death was premediated. He said additional charges are possible but would not expand on that.

The Wayne County Medical Examiner found that Bruck — who was last seen alive at a large party in Frenchtown Township — died from blunt force trauma to the head.

The 22-year-old's Poison Ivy villain costume was found about six months later at an industrial site, and her remains were discovered a few weeks later on April 24, 2015, in a wooded lot on Briar Hill Road in Ash Township.

On Friday, police announced an arrest had been made nearly two years after Bruck's murder.

The suspect's girlfriend said he called her from jail and confessed to the killing, claiming it was an accident that happened during rough, consensual sex.

Perry Fletcher, who lives in Clay's neighborhood, said the whole thing is disturbing:

"You know, you don't really know who your neighbors are," said Fletcher, "you really just don't know anymore - always come by and wave, wave, wave - everybody's waving but you know I could have been waving at that guy there - coming through the street here -- and I didn't even know who the guy was."

Another neighbor, Jeff Foster had questions about the killing.

"How the costume got all the way in Flat Rock...the party was right down the road here, to the right. How did her costume get down there?" asked Foster.

Foster's mother, Lisa, said her kids were invited to the same party but never went; and for that's she's thankful.

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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