DETROIT, Mich. – Brandee Katrice Pierce, 41, has been ordered to undergo a competency evaluation after being charged in connection with the murder of her 9-year-old son, Zemar King III.
Pierce is accused of killing King, binding his hands and feet, and burying him in a shallow grave behind her rental home in October 2024. Afterward, she allegedly fled to Georgia with her 3-year-old son, who was later found naked and covered in feces inside a vehicle.
Discovery of the Crime
King’s body was discovered on January 6, 2025, when workers at the rental property noticed a foot sticking out of the ground. According to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, an autopsy revealed that King died from neck compression and smothering.
Authorities say that before fleeing, Pierce bought a shovel, dug the grave, and attempted to conceal her son’s death.
CPS History & Prior Warnings
Pierce had been on Children’s Protective Services (CPS) radar since 2015, with at least four prior investigations related to her treatment of King.
Just months before his death, King told CPS that his mother choked him and wanted to kill him, according to prosecutor Tina Ripley.
Arrest in Georgia
On December 20, 2024, Pierce was found living in a vehicle with her 3-year-old son in Cobb County, Georgia. The child was immediately placed in foster care.
Georgia authorities contacted Detroit police, leading to an investigation into King’s murder.
Charges Against Pierce
Pierce has been charged with:
First-degree murder
Felony murder
First-degree child abuse
Tampering with evidence
Concealing the death of an individual
Her attorney has cited mental health disorders, though specific conditions were not disclosed.
