‘He’s Dead. I Killed Him’: Wisconsin Teen Accused of Helping Torture and Strangle 16-Year-Old Boy

A Wisconsin teenager allegedly made a chilling confession to a schoolmate after a 16-year-old boy disappeared, telling the student, “He’s dead. I killed him.” Investigators say the shocking statement was only one piece of evidence in a case involving an alleged plan to torture and kill the victim, conceal his body and destroy evidence afterward.

Nathan Reichard, 15, and Dominic Pilgreen, 26, are both charged in connection with the death of Payton Vertz, 16. According to a criminal complaint cited by Law&Crime, Payton was last seen by his family on October 5, 2026. Because he had reportedly left home before and returned days later, his disappearance was initially treated as a possible runaway situation. Eleven days later, on October 16, his body was discovered floating in a marina in Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

The investigation took a disturbing turn when a student at Two Rivers High School approached police and reported that Reichard had asked whether he knew Payton. When the student confirmed that he did, Reichard allegedly replied, “He’s dead. I killed him.” The witness also reportedly noticed bruising on Reichard’s hand. Investigators subsequently interviewed another student who had previously dated Payton and who described Reichard as appearing angry with him before the disappearance.

According to the complaint, Reichard and Pilgreen allegedly discussed killing Payton before the attack. Pilgreen was reportedly living at an encampment in Zander Park, where Reichard and the female student visited him on October 4. Authorities allege that the pair discussed their hostility toward Payton and agreed that he needed to be killed. Pilgreen allegedly purchased vodka and beer that they planned to use to intoxicate the teenager before carrying out their plan.

On the night of October 5, Reichard allegedly persuaded Payton to accompany him to Zander Park. Once the teenager was intoxicated, the two suspects reportedly led him onto the Ice Age Trail, where they allegedly began beating him. According to investigators, they tied Payton to a tree when he resisted and continued the assault, including striking him with his own belt.

Prosecutors allege that the original plan was even more disturbing: the suspects intended to keep Payton tied to the tree for two or three days, torturing him before eventually killing him. However, investigators say the pair became concerned that he might escape. They allegedly decided to end the ordeal that night, and Pilgreen reportedly used Payton’s belt to strangle him. The suspects then allegedly removed most of his clothing, placed his body in a wagon, covered it with a red towel and transported him to the river. Pilgreen allegedly admitted to burning Payton’s clothing afterward in an attempt to destroy evidence.

The case came into sharper focus after Reichard reportedly visited a female student in the middle of the night and told her, “It’s done.” He allegedly described how he and Pilgreen had tied Payton to a tree, killed him and disposed of his body. Reichard later went to the Two Rivers Police Department himself and reportedly described his involvement to investigators. Pilgreen also allegedly spoke with police about the pair’s discussions and actions.

Both suspects now face charges including first-degree intentional homicide, physical abuse of a child, hiding a corpse, theft from a corpse and false imprisonment. Reichard is being prosecuted as an adult, with a judge setting his cash bond at $500,000. Pilgreen remains in custody at the Waukesha County Jail. Both men are scheduled to appear in court on November 2, 2026. As the case moves forward, prosecutors will seek to establish the full extent of each suspect’s alleged role in the death of a teenager whose disappearance ended in a deeply disturbing discovery.

Source: Law&Crime