According to Wisconsin authorities, a Pizza Hut employee killed a coworker after the victim cashed a $7,000 inheritance check and presented it to the suspect and coworkers. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Alex Stengel’s body was discovered in a waste cart outside a Pizza Hut restaurant in South Milwaukee on February 7, 2019.
The suspect, 31-year-old Kavonn Ingram, reportedly killed Stengel two days before his body was discovered. Authorities claimed Stengel had gunshot and stab wounds, and his wallet, keys, and cellphone seemed to be missing when his body was located.
Police believe the murder occurred in the restaurant’s kitchen, as blood was traced from Stengel’s body to the crime site. Following the killing, the victim was wrapped in a plastic bag before being placed in a rubbish container and discarded.
After studying security footage, authorities identified Ingram as responsible for the killing. The video shows the suspect taking the victim’s body out of the restaurant before returning inside. That happened on the morning of February 5.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Stengel arrived at work on February 5 at 9:30 a.m., prepared the register, and opened it at 10:09 a.m. However, a Pizza Hut regional manager stated that this was not normal practice because no one had come in to purchase anything at the time.
Stengel is believed to have clocked out 10 minutes before 11 a.m. Ingram was caught lugging the garbage can 25 minutes after the victim allegedly clocked out. Authorities said Ingram understood how to use the restaurant’s computer and time management system, leading them to believe he clocked Stengel out after allegedly killing him.
The restaurant’s general manager also stated that Stengel’s phone sent her text messages beginning at 10:28 a.m. on February 5. The victim’s phone phoned her first, followed by a text indicating Stengel had left work due to illness. Ingram is believed to have delivered the message, and the regional manager also stated that Stengel failed to report to work on February 6.
The regional manager informed investigators that on February 3, Stengel showed Ingram and other coworkers the amount of money he had cashed when he arrived for work. Police suspect money was the motive for the crime, which was said to include an inheritance check.
On February 11, Ingram was arrested and charged with first-degree intentional homicide, using a dangerous weapon, concealing a corpse, armed robbery, and criminal possession of a handgun.