KENOSHA — The man accused of killing a Kenosha High Schooler told investigators he witnessed her murder, but he is not the killer.
Seventeen-year-old Olivia Mackay’s body was found dumped on the side of the road in Mount Pleasant last month.
Daniel Tate, 20, and Jamari Cook, 17,are charged with first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse and stealing the victim's car.
Tate was given a $1 million bond at his arraignment Tuesday.
The victim Mackay was described by her family as, "...a shy, talented and insightful teenager who was preparing to begin her senior year at Indian Trail Academy High School this fall."
Mackay’s father told TODAY’S TMJ4, "I'm in enormous grief," and is "...blessed with friends, family and community support."
The man charged with strangling Mackay was stone faced in court as the victim’s family looked on.
Court records show Mackay connected with Tate online. She picked him up last month, along with Tate’s friend, Cook. They ended up at the lakefront in Kenosha where Tate claims another person, "...whom he specifically named, approached O.M.M. [Olivia Mackay] and began to strangle her for no apparent reason in his presence."
Investigators said his alleged accomplice, Cook, helped cover Mackay’s body in garbage bags. Detectives said the two stole her car and dumped her body in a ditch in Mount Pleasant.
They also said they have evidence of Tate trying to sell Mackay’s car online after she was killed.
Mackay’s father told TODAY’S TMJ4 they are focused on keeping her memory alive and said, "We will be building a scholarship fund in her name."
