TACOMA, Wash. – Within hours of his release from prison, a Washington state man was accused of brutally murdering a 56-year-old man using a heavy air compressor and a chair, authorities said. Christopher Charles Reyes, 47, is charged with first-degree murder following the death of William Akers.
On Nov. 27, police were called to a Tacoma residence after receiving a distressing 911 call reporting an unspecified emergency. Upon their arrival, a gruesome scene unfolded in the garage of the home, located in the 7400 block of South Oakes Street. Akers was found deceased, lying on his back in a pool of blood with visible injuries that suggested a violent assault.
According to the friend who discovered Akers and alerted authorities, an orange air compressor was found resting atop the victim’s arm, indicating the ferocity of the attack. First responders confirmed the death at the scene, noting significant bruising and swelling around Akers’ eyes and mouth, consistent with those of a beaten individual.
Investigators at the scene reported finding the 34-pound air compressor and a chair nearby, both covered in blood and bearing traces of hair and tissue. Indications were that both objects were used as weapons in the fatal beating. The severity of the attack was further evidenced by a chair leg, which was almost completely bent out of shape.
Suspicious circumstances were highlighted by the discovery of Akers wearing two layers of pants, the outer of which was pulled down, and a pocket turned inside out as though rifled through. A small amount of cash was found near his body. Akers, known to both use and deal drugs, primarily lived off his Social Security income.
An autopsy revealed Akers suffered multiple skull fractures, a broken nose, broken ribs, and punctured lungs. Traces of narcotics and approximately $1,700 were found on his person, painting a stark picture of the violence he endured.
Following an anonymous tip received on Dec. 4, police were led to a woman who had been released from jail on the same day as Reyes. She reported that they had both been dropped off at the residence where Akers lived. According to her, after consuming narcotics obtained from Akers, she and Reyes left, only for him to later return under the pretense of acquiring more drugs.
She recalled Reyes mentioning a debt to his fentanyl dealer before re-entering Akers’ home. Shortly afterward, Reyes returned to her car with what appeared to be blood on his arm, disturbingly muttering that he thought he had killed someone. The woman, along with her sister subsequently distanced themselves from Reyes, urgently seeking refuge at a nearby motel.
Reyes was arrested the following Monday, admitting to his interactions with the women and the visit to Akers’ home. He later confided to his mother over a phone call that a significant incident had occurred, cryptically noting that this was the reason behind his recent sobriety.
Reyes has a documented criminal background dating back to 2001, including a prison sentence served for an assault conviction in 2018. His criminal record includes multiple stints in prison, the latest being immediately prior to the day of the murder due to a probation violation. Currently, Reyes is being held in Pierce County Jail with bail set at $2 million and is expected in court on Feb. 5.