Prosecutors: Tacoma man was murdered, dismembered

The body of a man found inside a home in Tacoma Wednesday
had been dismembered, according to the Pierce County
Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

The body of Wayne Williams, 54, was discovered in a
bedroom of the home in the 2300 block of Tacoma Avenue
South. His legs and head had been removed with a hand saw
“over several hours, at least.”

“Shoes and socks remained on the severed legs,” according
to prosecutors. “The head and the legs were in separate
bags, presumably for disposal.”

John Jones, Jr., 27, has been arrested in the homicide and
charged with first-degree murder. He lived in the home
along with his mother, brother, and uncle.

Jones’ mother was the one who found the body, which had
been placed under a makeshift tent in Jones’ room. When
she notified police, Jones denied knowledge of the crime.

“Police find it suspicious when there’s a dead body in
your bedroom, and the body has been disremembered, and you
claim not to know what happened,” said Pierce County
Prosecutor Mark Lindquist.

Lindquist said Williams was choked to death, and had
several defensive wounds on his body. Jones told police he
and Williams did drugs together.

Jones is charged with first-degree murder in the death of
Williams.