Prosecutors: Liming's mom called 911 the day Underhill was killed

The day 18-year-old Kyle Underhill was killed two years ago, the mother of the Islip man charged with the slaying called 911 to say her son needed assistance, prosecutors said Saturday.

Underhill was killed on Nov. 16, 2011, authorities said. His bludgeoned body was found three days later, partly submerged in a marsh near his home.

Thomas Liming, 21, a friend and former high school classmate of Underhill's, was arrested Friday and charged with second-degree murder.

Prosecutors said a Suffolk police officer went to the Liming family home about 9:15 the night of the slaying. The officer began to speak with Liming, his mother and sister.

At some point in the conversation, Underhill was mentioned. Liming's mother, Kim, called a lawyer and then asked the officer to leave, saying they would not answer any more questions, prosecutors said.

Defense attorney Joseph Corozzo of Manhattan Saturday confirmed the 911 call and that Thomas Liming spoke with an officer that day. He declined to provide further details.

Authorities said they have evidence showing that Liming and Underhill were together the day of the killing, and that the last place the victim was seen alive was the Manhattan Sweets Boutique Bakery in Islip, where he worked.

On Nov. 17, 2011, two days before Underhill's body was discovered, his mother called 911 to report that her son hadn't returned to their Islip home, prosecutors said.

The same day, she called the Liming house and left a message on their answering machine pleading for their help in finding her son. The call -- and several others that followed -- was not answered or returned, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said the officer who spoke the previous day to the Limings responded to the Underhill home. After speaking with Underhill's mother, he returned to the Liming house, but no one answered the door.

Detectives placed repeated calls to the home, which were not returned, and visited the home on Nov. 18, but no one came to the door, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Underhill was alive when he was submerged in the marsh. His body was covered with a wood board; two sticks were lodged in his mouth and throat. He suffered more than a dozen blunt-force wounds to his head and face, multiple broken ribs and a fractured neck bone, authorities said.

A motive for the killing has not been released. Calls to the Underhill family were not returned.

Liming knew he was under investigation for the past two years and surrendered to authorities after he realized an indictment was imminent, his attorney said Friday.

Corozzo said Saturday that Liming's bail -- $5 million cash or $15 million bond -- is "excessive" and that he intends to file a motion seeking a reduction.