As word spread around Apex High School today that Matthew Silliman, 18, was murdered, those who knew him said it's been difficult to accept the reality.

"I was stunned, I never knew something would happen to him," said Kenny Garcia, Apex High 10th grader.

On Wednesday, police arrested and charged four teenagers in Silliman's murder: Ryan Patrick Hare, 18; Allegra Rose Dahlquist, 17; Drew Logan Shaw, 16; Aadil Shahid Khan, 17. They were all denied bond in court on Thursday and remain in jail. To read more about what happend in court and details on the investigation, click here.

Garcia said he knew Silliman was reported missing on November 26th, but thought he would turn up safe.

"Everyday I was hoping they'd find him, but I never knew they'd find him like this," he said.

Garcia described Silliman as funny and outgoing, always wore black and dyed his hair.

"Some people gave him second looks because of the way he dressed, but beyond that, if you got to know him, he was a really good guy," said Garcia.

Garcia said he doesn't know exactly what kind of relationship Silliman had with the four suspects in his murder, but some of the accused are associated with him on Facebook. Two went to Apex High with Silliman.

"(We) are shocked and just really saddened," said Matt Wight, Apex High School Principal. "Saddened that any of our students are involved."

The two other suspects have ties to Panther Creek High School, one a student, another one a drop out. Officials there declined to comment.

Police have not yet released a motive or cause of death in the case.

The four suspects are due back in court in two weeks.