LANSING – Two Alpena men will face trial by a jury of their peers on charges related to the double homicide of two area women after Judge Alan Curtis bound each over for trial this week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski announced.
Brad Srebnik, 36, of Alpena, is accused of murdering Brynn Bills, 17, in August 2021. Srebnik and Joshua Wirgau, 35, also of Alpena, are accused of then murdering Abby Hill, 31, in September of that same year to prevent Hill from revealing information about the murder of Bills.
“I’m grateful for the collaborative effort of the Michigan State Police, Prosecutor Muszynski, and the prosecutors in my office for bringing this heinous crime into the courtroom before a jury,” Nessel said. “Our department will continue our tireless efforts to seek justice for these two young women as we begin to make the state’s case to the jury.”
“We are very pleased to be one large step closer to achieving justice and having closure for the families of Brynn Bills, Abby Hill, and our entire community,” said Muszynski. “I want to extend my gratitude, not only to law enforcement and AG Nessel’s office for their dedicated diligent work, but also the patience and fortitude exhibited by the families throughout this process, especially as they heard the details of these heinous crimes.”
Facebook Messenger and eyewitness testimony both support that Bills was picked up by Hill in the early morning hours of August 2, 2021. The prosecution alleges that shortly after she was last seen alive, Bills was killed by Srebnik and with the help of Wirgau and Hill, her body was buried in Wirgau’s backyard.
On September 25, 2021, Srebnik, Wirgau, and Hill were dropped off in a remote area of Alpena. The prosecution alleges Hill was executed by gunshot on that property. Her body was discovered there on October 15, 2021.
Srebnik is charged with the following:
- One count of first-degree premeditated homicide for the murder of Brynn Bills, a felony that carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole;
- One count of first-degree premeditated homicide for the murder of Abby Hill, a felony that carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole;
- One count of disinterment and mutilation of a dead body for the burying of Brynn Bills, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years;
- One count of felony firearm – second offense, using a firearm in the commissioning of a felony, five years consecutive to any underlying charges; and
- One count of felon in possession of a firearm, a felony with a maximum sentence of five years.
Joshua Wirgau is charged with the following:
- One count of first-degree premeditated homicide for the murder of Abby Hill, a felony that carries a life sentence without the possibility of parole;
- One count of disinterment and mutilation of a dead body for the burying of Brynn Bills, a felony that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years;
- One count of being an accessary after the fact to a felony for the hiding of Brynn Bills’ body, a felony carrying a maximum sentence of five years; and
- One count of felon in possession of a firearm, a felony carrying a maximum sentence of five years.
Both Srebnik and Wirgau are habitual offenders. They will next appear before Judge Ed Black in the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena for arraignment.
Please note: A criminal charge is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The Department does not provide booking photos.
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