FLINT, Mich. (TCD) — A 34-year-old man is in custody after allegedly killing his missing 48-year-old girlfriend at a motel and hiding the body in a garbage bag near the Flint River.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton announced the murder charges against Christopher Motry on March 11.
In a press conference posted by WEYI-TV, Leyton said a co-worker requested a welfare check on Christina Barber on March 2 after she hadn’t been to work for a week and failed to answer her phone. The reporting party reportedly said Barber had been “having trouble with her boyfriend,” Christopher Motry.
During interviews with other co-workers, Leyton said they revealed Barber and Motry’s relationship was “difficult.” According to Leyton, investigators believe Motry was married but was having an affair with Barber. Barber had tried to break off the affair, and Motry allegedly threatened to kill her on multiple occasions. The two reportedly worked together at a local Burger King.
On March 3, Genesee Township Police were dispatched to the Flint Motel, where investigators reportedly observed a blood-soaked comforter outside the open door of room 18. Leyton said officers noticed kitty litter on top of a bloody mattress, as well as blood on the floor of the motel room. There was reportedly blood on the wall, around the bed, in the bathroom, and on a set of sheets.
When investigators asked who rented out the room, the manager said Barber.
The next day, Genesee Township Police responded to the banks of the Flint River near Whaley Park and found a body believed to be that of Barber. Upon their arrival, Flint Police officers were already on scene after a fisherman reportedly found a black garbage bag with toes sticking out.
Genesee Township Police reviewed surveillance footage from the motel and saw that Barber and Motry went to the Flint Motel on Feb. 28 at around 1:20 a.m. The next day, at around 8 p.m., Motry reportedly exited room 18 by himself with an apparent body in a plastic bag. According to Leyton, the footage shows him placing the body in the bed of his truck.
Leyton’s office charged Motry with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, concealing the death of an individual, and domestic violence. He remains held without bond.
According to Leyton, the victim leaves behind seven children, some of whom have reached out to investigators regarding the case.
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