Portsmouth Tenant Kills Landlord With An Axe: Police

PORTSMOUTH, RI — A Portsmouth man was arrested Monday after police said he killed his landlord by striking him in the head with an axe.

Jacob Morrill, 24, was charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of Xue Feng Wu, 50, of Tiverton.

Portsmouth police said the investigation began when just after 4:30 p.m., Tiverton police called them and asked they conduct a well-being check on Wu. Wu left his home to check on his rental property on West Main Road early in the day and had not been seen since.

Police said Portsmouth officers went to the rental property and spoke with Morrill, a tenant. According to police, Morrill told officers Wu stopped by the home earlier in the day but left to go to court in Providence. Officers then cleared the scene.

But around 6 p.m., Portsmouth police received a tip that a crime occurred at the Wet Main Road home. Officers responded to investigate again, and 10 minutes later, Morrill called Portsmouth police and told the desk officer he struck and killed Wu, police said.

Morrill told officers he would meet police behind the Mobil gas statin at 1568 Road, where he was arrested, police said. Police said Morrill gave details about the killing to officers and told them where Wu's body was.

Officers found Wu's body down a pathway in the woods close to Morrill's home, police said. According to police, the body was wrapped in a tarp and held in place by a section of wire fencing and other objects. Police confirmed Wu was dead and said he suffered severe head injuries.

Further investigation revealed that Morrill and Wu got into an argument inside a garage at the rental property. During the confrontation, Morrill struck Wu's head with a small axe, killing him, police said. Police said Morrill then hid Wu's body.

After searching Morrill's home, police said they found the axe used to kill Wu and other evidence.

Morrill was arraigned Tuesday in Newport County District Court.