Deputies: Man admits to murdering baby's mother who was missing for several days

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — 23-year-old Brooklyn Tyree, of Salt Lake City, was found dead along a Tooele Highway after she was reported missing for several days, according to the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said Brandon Zipperle admitted to shooting and killing Tyree and along with his fiancé, 28-year-old Elizabeth Ludwig, disposed of Tyree’s body and personal belongings.

The Sheriff’s office said they received information on May 6 that a recreationists found a deceased female in the Five Mile Pass Recreational Area and found evidence of foul play.

That same evening Tooele County deputies were contacted by Salt Lake City police on a missing female by the name of Brooklyn Tyree.

Deputies said Brooklyn was headed to the Tooele area to see friends earlier in the week and had not been heard from since and family reported that she was last seen by Zipperle, with whom Brooklyn had a 7-month-old son, Braxton.

Zipperle was booked into the Tooele County Detention Center for murder and obstruction of justice.

Elizabeth was booked into the Tooele County Detention Center for obstruction of justice.

Brooklyn’s older sister, Deanna Tyree, found out on Tuesday that her sister was found dead.

“And that she was found out on the side of a freeway in Tooele in a sleeping bag,” Deanna said.

The family said Brooklyn stopped answering calls and texts about a week prior.

“Disbelief, I mean it still feels so surreal, we all are going to need to grieve and we're aware that that process takes the rest of our lives,” Brooklyn’s cousin, Isebelle Rust, said

The family said Brooklyn stopped posting to social media, which was uncharacteristic of a very outgoing Brooklyn.

“Everything stopped, she just went silent and if anyone knows my sister, knows she's not silent,” Deanna said.

The family said they reached out to the Salt Lake Police Department with concerns something may be wrong and while a case was opened, the family claims more should have been done sooner.

Salt Lake Police Department Statement

"The Salt Lake City Police Department takes all community complaints seriously. This is a tragic case and our condolences go out to the family and friends of Brooklyn Tyree.

"To ensure our investigation into the missing person’s case was professional, respectful, thorough, and in line with our community’s expectations, we will comprehensively review the steps taken by our department. We welcome and will fully cooperate with the Salt Lake City Police Civilian Review Board with any requests they have pursuant to the Mayor’s direction for this independent body to review these allegations.

"The Salt Lake City Police Department is fully cooperating with the Tooele County Sheriff’s Office on their suspicious death investigation.

"This remains an ongoing investigation on multiple fronts. The Salt Lake City Police Department knows our community wants more answers about the handling of this case. Those answers will come through the appropriate investigative mechanisms in place. However, we must respect and preserve the integrity of the ongoing criminal investigation. As such, the Salt Lake City Police Department cannot release any additional information at this time aside from the timeline below:

Thursday, May 5, 2022, 5:11 PM

Missing person’s case generated. This is the first report made to the SLCPD about Brooklyn Tyree.

Other Information: The caller advised SLCPD that Brooklyn and her son were going to Tooele to meet up with someone on Tuesday (May 3) and hadn’t been heard from since.

• Because there was no information indicating a crime had been committed or that there was an immediate danger to either individual, the call was assigned as a Priority 3.
• A missing, at-risk person is assigned as a Priority 1.

Thursday May 5, 2022, approx 8:30 PM

SLC911 checked with Tooele County to see if they have any information on Brooklyn. Tooele Co. advised there were no recent reports. They further advised there wasn’t enough information to do an Attempt to Locate.

• SLC911 & SLCPD also checked a local hospital in Tooele Co. to see if Brooklyn was admitted.
• SLC911 & SLCPD checked four other local hospitals to see if Brooklyn was admitted.

Thursday May 5, 2022, 9:27 PM

The initial patrol officer arrived at Brooklyn’s apartment complex to meet with multiple family members and to gain an understanding of the situation. The officer had already been assigned the case prior to arrival and investigative steps were already taken as described above.

Other Information: After meeting with family members and further investigation, there was no articulable qualification, at the time, which met the department’s criteria for a missing persons entry in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).

• The police report was generated and reviewed by a supervisor.
• Additionally, the initial officer checked common places in the city for Brooklyn’s whereabouts.

Frida, May 6, 2022

An SLCPD officer met with a family member of Brooklyn’s who provided additional information. This information was documented by the officer and the officer contacted Tooele County to help further the investigation in locating Brooklyn.

Sun/Mon, May 8 – May 9, 2022

Officers with the SLCPD continued their investigation into the case and continued to speak with individuals who could assist with the missing person’s case.

Monday, May 9, 2022

As the investigation progressed, and as additional information was obtained, Brooklyn was listed in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) because the disappearance was now considered suspicious in nature.

Monday, May 9, 2022

SLCPD detectives continued with their investigation and the SLCPD Crime Lab assisted with the case, which included collecting evidence.

Monday, May 9, 2022

The SLCPD Public Relations Unit is contacted by KUTV asking if the department could confirm a missing person’s report was made. The SLCPD confirmed a report had been made.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

The Tooele County Sheriff's Office confirmed to the SLCPD that Brooklyn’s body was located in a rural area under suspicious circumstances.

The SLCPD is fully cooperating with Tooele County on the death investigation.

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Body-worn camera video from this case is not being released as this remains an active investigation. No further information can be released at this time.