Brandee Katrice Pierce, 41, of Detroit, has been charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, first-degree child abuse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the death of her 9-year-old son, Zemar King. Pierce was arraigned via Zoom in the 36th District Court, where she pleaded not guilty. She was remanded to jail without bond, according to CBS News Detroit.
Wayne County prosecutors have outlined the events leading to Zemar's death. Authorities say Pierce smothered her son on October 24, 2024, and later buried him. The boy's body was discovered by a landlord on January 6, after Pierce and her other son, aged three, moved to Georgia. Prosecutor Tina Ripley said, "The facts of this case are nothing short of egregious. Zemar King was a 9-year-old child who was treated like he was a piece of garbage," as reported by FOX 2 Detroit.
Reports from Child Protective Services described a situation with Zemar. In April 2024, during a hospital visit, Zemar told Child Protective Services workers that his mother "chokes him and wants to kill him," as mentioned by ClickOnDetroit. Evidence also suggests that Pierce ordered a shovel and wagon from Walmart, possibly in preparation for the crime she is now accused of committing.
Pierce traveled through several states after her son's death and arrived in Georgia with her younger child. She was detained in December 2024 on charges involving her 3-year-old son and drugs. The Brookhaven Police Department in Atlanta notified Detroit law enforcement, leading to her arrest on January 10. Her defense attorney stated she has no income, is unemployed, and has unspecified disorders. Judge Delphia Burton denied bond, citing her as a flight risk and a threat to the community. Pierce's probable cause conference is scheduled for March 7, and her preliminary examination is on March 13, as per CBS News Detroit.
