Michael Bowles indicted for the murder of Imperial Stewart

Posted on 10/13/2023

Defendant: Michael Bowles

A Franklin County grand jury Thursday returned a seven-count indictment against Michael T. Bowles, 20, of Columbus on charges relating to the death of Imperial Stewart.

Stewart was reported missing on Sept. 20 in the North Linden area. He was found dead in a wooded area in northeast Columbus nearly two weeks later.

Bowles was indicted on two counts of murder and one count each of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse and having a weapon under disability. There are three-year gun specifications on the aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and two murder charges.

Bowles will be arraigned on Monday, Oct. 16.

The grand jury determines if a crime has been committed and whether there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime.