Two men have been arrested for the murder of William Pickering, a rapper also known as EBE Bandz and Billy Da Kid.
According to the Rockford Register Star, authorities located the 23-year-old's remains Thursday, nearly three weeks after he was reported missing. A criminal complaint filed in Winnebago County, Illinois, states Pickering was likely killed on or around May 25. Investigators say he was killed beaten with a bat before his body was set on fire.
Shortly after Pickering's body was found, Illinois police arrested two men in connection with the murder. William Arzate, 22, was booked two counts of first-degree murder and one count of concealment of a homicidal death; while Manuel Ramirez, 22, was charged with concealment of a homicidal death. The suspects' bonds were set at $1 million and $500,000. Police say they are also searching for 20-year-old Dakota Graff, who is wanted on a number of unrelated outstanding warrants.
Arzate is accused of hitting the victim in the head with a baseball bat, resulting in his death. Arzate and Ramirez then allegedly transported Pickering's body to the woods in Winnebago County, where they then set it on fire.
Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea said officers continue to look for other people of interest.
Stay tuned as more details about the case become available.
