Murder Charge Filed in Death of Woman Found inside Car at Columbia Heights Impound Lot

Anoka County Attorney's Office filed a murder charge Friday in the death of Brittany Clardy, whose body was found at an impound lot in Columbia Heights last month.

Click on the PDF thumbnail to read the criminal complaint in the window above.

Prosecutors charged Alberto Prece Palmer, 23, with intentional second-degree murder in Clardy's death.

Palmer was arrested Wednesday in Woodbury after investigators tracked cell phone and Internet records connected with Clardy, 18, who had been working as a prostitute, officials said at a Thursday press conference.

Palmer was her last client. The cause of death was multiple blows to the back of her head from a hammer. 

Clardy’s family reported her missing on Feb. 11. Police found her body Feb. 21 covered with a blanket and other items in the back seat of her car at Bobby & Steve's impound lot on Central Avenue NE in Columbia Heights, where it had been towed from a Brooklyn Park apartment complex eight days earlier.

He is a suspect in similar incidents that occurred in Georgia, according to the Anoka County criminal complaint.

According to a statement from Anoka County Attorney's office:

Anoka County District Court Judge Sharon Hall set unconditional bail for Palmer at $2,000,000. Palmer’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 10 at 1pm.

“From all the evidence in the complaint, Palmer appears to be a very dangerous man,” said Tony Palumbo, Anoka County Attorney.

“While nothing we do can bring Brittany Clardy back, we can and intend to hold accountable the person who took her life.  It is a sad day for Brittany’s family and we will seek justice for her,” said Palumbo.

Related:

• Police: Murder Victim Worked as Prostitute; Man to be Charged Friday
• Body Found in Towed Car Subject of Murder Investigation
• Sheriff: Car Towed to Columbia Heights Had Body Inside