GINA BURGER - 16 yo (6/2014)/ Charged: Ricki D. Williams - Austintown OH

Arrest made in death of Ohio teen found in Mercer County landfill
Austintown police say Ricki Williams IV charged with kidnapping, killing Gina Burger

UPDATED 10:12 AM EDT Jul 03, 2014

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio —An Ohio man charged with killing a teenage girl stuffed her body in a playpen bag and carried it past her mother -- even offering the woman a chance to "buy a baby thing" -- before disposing of the remains in the trash, police said.

Ricki D. Williams IV, 18, of Youngstown, was held without bond after a court hearing Wednesday in the June 23 death of 16-year-old Gina Burger. Investigators said he confessed to killing the girl, whose body was found in a Pennsylvania landfill two days later.

Burger was stabbed inside an apartment at a complex in the Youngstown suburb of Austintown where she lived with her mother, police said. Another woman helped Williams dispose of the body under threat of death, according to police.

Williams is charged with aggravated murder and kidnapping. More charges are expected, said Austintown Police Chief Robert Gavalier. It is unclear if Williams had an attorney.

Jaqueline Bacher reported her daughter missing around 11 p.m. on June 23, three hours after Burger had left their apartment to borrow bags for iced tea.

A police report said Bacher told officers that while she waited outside for an officer to take a missing person's report, she saw Williams walk out of another apartment struggling to carry what appeared to be a bag used to store a portable playpen.

Bacher told police that Williams asked her if she "wanted to buy a baby thing." An officer soon arrived and Bacher did not see what Williams did with the bag, the police report said. She said she saw what appeared to be the same bag in a trash container outside the apartment complex the next day.

A worker found Burger's body June 25 at a landfill in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, about 45 miles north of Pittsburgh.

On June 26, police went to the apartment of a woman Burger sometimes visited. A manager of the complex let them inside and police discovered blood stains throughout the house.

Investigators found the woman who lived in the apartment the next day. She told officers she helped Williams dispose of Burger's body in the bag for her son's playpen after Williams threatened to kill her.

The woman said Williams forced her and Burger into the woman's bedroom and allowed them to smoke a "last cigarette," the police report said. Williams then tried to force the woman to stab Burger. When she refused, Williams grabbed the knife and stabbed the teen once in the chest, the report said.

A fugitive task force from the U.S. Marshal's Office found Williams on Tuesday evening in Youngstown and arrested him.

http://www.wtae.com/news/arrest-made-in-death-of-ohio-teen-found-in-mercer-county-landfill/26754408#ixzz36sxVzio2

‘He’s one of those evil people’: Man accused in 16-year-old’s slaying appears in court

Updated: 5:05 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Posted: 8:52 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014

AUSTINTOWN, OHIO — The man arrested and charged in the death of a 16-year-old girl found in a local landfill appeared in court Wednesday.

Police said Ricki Williams, 18, was charged with aggravated murder and kidnapping Tuesday night.

Officials said Williams stabbed 16-year-old Gina Burger, of Austintown, Oh., last week. Her body was later found in a landfill in Grove City.

Prosecutors told Channel 11’s Amy Marcinkiewicz that they plan on seeking the death penalty in this case.

“There is evil in the world and he’s one of those evil people. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason he would do this,” the prosecuting attorney said.

It was revealed in court that Williams is homeless and is considered a flight risk.

Investigators said Williams held Burger against her will in an apartment below where she lived, later killing her and dumping her body.

Marcinkiewicz reported that a girl, who is also being called a vicitm, witnessed the crime. Investigators said Williams forced her to help him dispose of Burger's body.

“What I can tell you right now is he held her against her will at the Compass West Apartments.  She was murdered at the Compass West Apartments with a knife,” said Austintown Police Chief Bob Gavalier.

Police said Williams placed Burger’s body in pack and play.  Investigators said Burger’s mother told them she saw Williams with the transportable crib, and at one point, he even asked her if she wanted to buy it.

“He asked me if I wanted to buy it.  I was wondering what was inside there.  I never thought it was my daughter,” said Burger's mother, Jacqueline Bacher.

Burger was reported missing last Monday night.  Bacher said Burger left their apartment to ask a neighbor for tea, but she never came back.

“She had a family.  People loved her and cared about her, and to find her in a landfill, someone has no regard for life,” said Bacher. "She was a sweet, caring and trusting girl."

Police said they were able to identify Burger by scars from a major surgery she had and by her clothing. Burger’s body was found at Tri-County Industries Wednesday.  Trucks from Ohio, Clarion, Erie and surrounding areas use the facility.

Officials said a bucket loader was moving trash to a tractor trailer when a worker noticed the body.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/local/police-hope-dna-evidence-helps-leads-death-16-year/ngWx6/