Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Jaylin Omar Brazier, 24, of Detroit, in connection with the homicide of Zion Foster, 17, of Eastpointe. Defendant Brazier is the cousin of Ms. Foster.

On January 5, 2022, the Eastpointe Police Department was contacted by Ciera Milton, the mother of Zion Foster, 17, of Eastpointe, MI, because she had not been seen since January 4, 2022. On January 6, 2023, Ms. Milton also filed a missing person's report with the Detroit Police Department. It is alleged that Defendant Brazier killed Ms. Foster. An exhaustive investigation over a year and a half was conducted by the Detroit Police Department assisted by local, state, and federal agencies. Today the defendant was taken into custody for the murder of Zion Foster. The body of Ms. Foster has not been found. The defendant has been charged with Second-Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. * Further facts and evidence in the case will be placed on the record at the preliminary examination.

"Our hearts go out to the family of Zion Foster. This case is a quintessential example of investigators and prosecutors who refused to give up on her homicide. For 18 months, investigators put together the evidence. Each piece of evidence in this case was examined and linked together," said Prosecutor Kym Worthy. "Today we are charging Zion's cousin, Jaylin Brazier, with Murder in the Second Degree * for allegedly killing Zion."

Brazier was arraigned this afternoon in 36th District Court before Magistrate Jeffrey Kleparek. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for July 3, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., and the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for July 10, 2023, at 1:45 p.m., before Judge Kenneth King. Please request a photograph of the defendant from the Detroit Police Department.

*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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