Man Charged In Gibraltar Suitcase Murder

GIBRALTAR (WWJ) - The Wayne County prosecutor has charged a 52-year-old man with mutilation of a dead body, more than a week after a woman's remains were found in a suitcase floating in a creek.

James Bommer of Gibraltar was also charged with obstruction of justice and being a repeat offender.

The remains of 32-year-old Pamela Prpich were found in a suitcase recovered from a creek along West Jefferson near Gibraltar Road. Police also found Prpich's remains in Bommer's closet.

Gibraltar police say Bommer admitted dismembering the body but denied killing Prpich. Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the evidence tells another story, calling it a "disturbing" case.

"The evidence in this case will show that the defendant dismembered the body of Ms. Prpich. Cases like this are among the most disturbing to even long time members of law enforcement,"said Prosecutor Worthy.

Bommer and Prpich may have known each other, although the extent of their relationship is unclear at this time. Her mother said Bommer's phone number was Prpich's last call on her cell phone.

Prpich's family had been looking for her for several days before her body was found. She was living with her mother at the Bella Vista Condo complex, next door to the Park Place Apartments where Bommer lived.

Russell Prince, who lives next door to the suspect, said Bommer had cancer and many other problems.

"He's dying. He has cancer... you know, he was on a lot of pills, but he drank," said Prince. "If he drank too much he could be belligerent… but he wasn't the kind of guy you couldn't calm down. I just have a hard time gripping that he actually did that."

Police questioned Boomer after viewing surveillance video from a nearby store which showed him purchasing cleaning supplies and other suspicious items. During questioning, Boomer confessed to dismembering Prpich's body and led police to additional remains stored in a closet.

Prpich's family said a funeral is planned for Sept. 10 at the Uht Funeral Home in Westland.

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