Starting with the moment deputies found human remains decaying in the forest that had clearly been subjected to abuse. >> I'm not sure if it's a person or I'm not sure what it is, but I've got movement east of my location in the woods. >> And he picked the chalk up with his sticks on his hand and James was laying there face down and I dropped him right and we left. >> So I don't know what his face looks like. If he was stabbed in the neck or the face, >> the blood may be hidden by the tar right here. >> Dusty, >> dude. Yeah. >> Turn around. Put your hands behind your back. Dude, man, just try to light me on fire. >> On December the 23rd, 2022, Officer Hour received a 911 call from a distraught man who claimed to have found his best friend's lifeless body identified as James Leaden Decka in the middle of Lake Jackson Forest. Officer Hour along with the team of first responders quickly arrived at the scene, but they quickly realized that nothing about James's passing was accidental. Rather, something downright sinister had happened to him. That's my friend. >> Okay. 389. I'm 1012 with him. Just just give me a minute. I'm 1012 with two. I'm head down to take a look. 361. If you want to come down in 56 minutes in the back, I'm headed down to the scene. We're going to go back that way about 50 yards. >> Okay. >> Um I watch. >> Yeah. >> Knife is laying on the ground. There's no blood on it. >> Did you touch the knife? I did pick up a knife. Um >> Okay. Well, we're going to need to get fingerprints from you. Okay. >> No, no problem. Um I walked by the tarp and you couldn't see James. Um >> Okay. >> And then um Allan walked by the truck goes, "What's that?" And he picked the tarp up with with stickings on his hand and James was laying there face down and I dropped the knife and we left. >> Okay. All right. Well, we're going to need to get a very detailed statement from you. Okay. Yes, sir. >> Just because >> I don't understand. Well, the thing is, >> I'm not accusing you of anything, but you have to be ruled out. You see what I'm saying? >> 100%. >> All right, you just hang on down right here for me. Okay, let me get up here and take a look. You better be. >> Okay. >> Um, and then please put in that back hand, please. >> All right. >> Where's the knife? >> Knife's on the left hand side of him. >> Okay. >> He's got a white belt, too. >> Okay. Just hang out there for me. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Wrapped tightly in a tarp lay the naked body of James Leaden Decka with cuts, bruises, and terror written all over him. And as Officer Hour investigated further, he started hearing something strange nearby. >> I'm not sure if it's a person or I'm not sure what it is, but I've got movement east of my location in the woods. Sounds like it's heading this way. >> Hey, up. >> He's I mean, there's nothing for y'all to check. He's cold to the touch. All right, we got knife right here. body here, tents, whole camp spread up back here. We've also got one outstanding. >> The hell are you talking about? >> There's two people who live in this camp >> and one's not here. >> And one's outstanding at the moment. >> Did you find the knife? >> I got a knife right here. >> Blood on it, huh? >> Well, there's something right there. But hey, did you still got those two guys 1012 up front? >> Yeah, they're standing there waiting for us. >> Good. Because one that led me back touched the knife, so we need to get his prints and the statement off him. The other one touched the tarp. They found out what was going on and they took off. >> I checked the camp and he's the only one back here. >> I got the name of the person with at 5 or 6:00. >> Yeah. So, and I've got what looks like maybe his clothes right over there. >> So, he's naked and there's some clothes right there on the fire. >> Medical personnel arrived and confirmed what the officer feared. blunt force trauma, strangulation marks, and the most disturbing find of all, gasoline in James' lungs and stomach. However, this would be just one of many disturbing details officers uncovered at the scene. >> Hey, S, take a look at this for me. What is that? Is that just soot weird off on that or? Um >> I mean it looks awful shiny where he has that >> um for what I can see >> but he is butt naked face down of his heart with his upper torso definitely and definitely somebody so I don't know what his face looks like if he was stabbed in the neck or the face the blood may be hidden by the tarp. I'm not seeing any obvious blood. Apparently, the witness picked up the knife and the knife has like a screen. >> No, there's blood on a Yeah, the tarp's brown, but there's blood all over the tarp. Like blood splatter. >> It looks like I mean, he was moved postmortem. You can tell by the way he was dragged. >> Oh, he's got his leaf. >> Yeah, >> that's hollow down below. You see that? >> Yeah, that's crazy. >> Almost looks like a carbon Odin. This in the one eye. You see that? Nice. I think so. Like this. gas. >> They had to cut that with a chainsaw, right? And it looks like >> Yeah. >> The injuries and the details all pointed to one thing. This was a calculated act where the victim had likely been abused for hours. Officers turned back to Jamie for more answers, hoping to make some sense of the horrific crime. >> We've got heard arguing and stuff. So I go through the woods, go to this camp. >> Mhm. See you later. >> All back to the camp because you know homeless people argue all the time about dumb. >> Been a while now and I haven't heard anything from James or anybody over there. So I go over there to me and my friend that's with >> go over there. Right. So when I walk get to a certain point, I see a tarp laying there beside this tree which is never there. the tarp is uh I don't even know if it's James or >> All right. Well, we're we're going to we're going to get it figured out. Okay. Do you know James last name? >> Do you know James last name? >> No. >> No. >> I'm talking about the person who did this >> cuz I know who it is. >> Dusty McDonald that lives right up. He just got the complaint this morning. Man come down there with a hatchet. Threaten him. chopped him up. Called it in. Sheriff's department. They come over. They talked to him. They told him, they told him that they're going to go over and talk to him. Just stay away. >> And James is the one who called. >> No, ma'am. >> Who called this morning? Rick. >> Okay. >> Rick is the one who stays there. No, ma'am. But Rick is the one who stays there. James is >> a friend of everybody's, but he was staying up there with Dusty. >> We We both went down there. We live right here. We want to go check out our friend. He's rocking his guitar. >> Okay, sir. >> Came back. >> I heard arguing earlier, right? >> We know who was down there first. >> Uh arguing. >> Okay. >> So, I walked down to the woods. I seen Dusty have chains on the ground. He was saying, "You shouldn't talk [ __ ] about this." Now, you know what I'm saying? Hurt like, "Oh, they just getting [ __ ] out." You know what I mean? >> But I never hear no nothing from over there no more. You know Dusty's real name or >> Dusty McDonald? >> Did you say that James called Lyn today and said, "Hey, no." >> Rick. >> Oh, Rick called Rick. >> James was there. >> Dusty went over there and cut his tent. >> Cut him up. Threatened with a machete. Cut his tent up. >> All kind of >> They called the police. I was >> They called the police, made a report, and the police just said, "Stay away from it. There's a tarp laying beside a tree that's never there cuz I live here. And I took the stick went. When I flipped it up, I seen legs. >> All right. I think they already brought up his name, but Dustin McCormick. >> Yeah, Dusty. >> Dusty. Supposedly general and some militia come down there this morning with machete and started hacking up some of the tents. So, he wanted to clear the area. said he's the signal 20 and office meds. >> They said Dusty. They said Dusty is the one that put out standing. >> Yeah. They said Dust this guy Dusty left over here. >> The officers now had a name and a clear pattern of violence, prompting them to track Dusty down. But as they surrounded his house, the officer realized that their prime suspect wasn't going down that easy. I don't know if that's him, but there's somebody. Sheriff, put it put a knife down, man. Come on out. Come on out. >> Come on out. >> I'm not I don't have anything in my hand. >> Okay. Come on. >> Please. I don't have anything in my hands. >> Come on out. >> I'm right here, sir. Come on out, >> dude. I'm right here. >> Dusty. >> Dude. Yes. >> Turn around. Put your hands behind your back. >> Dude, the man just tried to light me on fire, dude. >> Y'all know what happened down there. >> That man tried to light me on fire, man. >> It's all on surveillance, dude. >> Listen, Dustin tried to do things, too. The dog's going to bite you. I'm not even on her. I'm not armed at all. Sir. Sir, man just left my house and tried to murder me down there and light me on fire. >> Sorry, this way. >> Yeah, dude. Sir, you know what happened down there? >> That's what we're trying to figure out. >> Dude, man tried to light me on fire as >> Okay, listen. >> We've got one side. >> That's why you need to come with us. Okay, >> come on. >> I know you. >> Dusty was taken into custody without much of a fight, but the unease had not lifted. As officers began speaking to those close to him, the true depth of his instability started to emerge. My goal here is to kind of get from your perspective kind of what you saw, what you heard. >> He ain't really been with me at all. I ain't never had no crossword. He's always insistent. Oh, come up there and do your laundry and all that, you know. Come up there and get a shower. That's what it was. Come get a shower. Come get a shower all the time. So I up got a shower and give him $2 afterward. You know, just g my best to get along with him. You know, he had a shower that we all used. you know, sometimes try to keep him good with him for those reasons and stuff, you know. >> Yeah, I get that. >> I My wild strangers did not think he was capable of murder and that's honest truth. I was just over there basically using his necessities like we all were a chance to, you know, shower. Usually offered it. That's his way of making friends with us. I think I had stayed with him before and he kicked me out. I thought I was in a light and I was taking pictures of him and stuff like that with my phone and I didn't even have a phone. Like I saw you taking pictures of me with your phone. I said I didn't have a phone. They said you got to go. So I left that. >> But it was when investigators circled back to Jamie that everything shifted. >> Mr. my role here in all this. Um, it's just kind of to get from your perspective, your side of things, what you saw, what you observed. >> Man came to my camp last night. >> Mhm. >> I used to stay up there with him. He's a violent person. >> Okay. His papa always let me stay there because he's the one that owns the property. The reason I don't stay there is because you don't do what he says. Then he gets all angry and threat energy and he just crazy. I said, "Well, I what does he usually carry?" >> Yeah. Had a stick this time, but he's either got a stick, a machete, a knist, he's he carries like three or four knives on him. Machete, sticks, just he's like he thinks he's Rainbow. >> With everything pointing to Dusty, the officer sat down to get his side of the story. But what they got instead was a bizarre monologue filled with delusions and rambling. >> You know I'm an owl, right? >> You're what? >> You know I'm an owl, right? >> Okay. >> You know what that means, right? >> Yes, sir. I do. >> Okay. Thank you. Golly, thank you. This has been a This has been a really hard day, >> sir. I waved all around a long time ago. Uh, >> you know, I I still have a great sense of innocence within me. If it ain't bothered to you this time remarkably well. Do you imagine that was some crazy [ __ ] and still be able to get usable intel? You know, I don't get why staying at that place is so dangerous for me. I know a lot of trust is given to me like that, but man, thank you for saying we talk about this, you know. Uh, and I even I've been going hard, you know. I'm so exhausted. >> How long have you been doing it? >> What? Uh, this kind of work. >> Not very long. That was my first. I think everybody knows that. >> From the get, you know. Uh, thank you for this deep psychological drive now. >> Uh, it's helped him a lot. >> Good. And then uh as and then he throws a gasoline on me cuz >> you saw how I was bulled up down there. Dude, I thought I was just doing it for the other. You know what I mean? That was my intention. Everybody know that I didn't manage to hit that nei come out like that. I don't know how I do it sometime. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. Uh, I mean when I'm just experimenting in the house with blades, like before I uh back when I took the butcher knife and threw it and it curved like that. I mean, no continuity. I just know of my uh beautiful mind that uh and I'm just it's a threeway, >> you know, it's the photographic, the aogenic intake, and then the loving connect. >> Yeah. You know, I I if y'all don't ever think I'm so amazed that that I'm just like a god, man. I I never thought it would be something like that, but my god, what that thing was me to verify everything that I can see elsewhere. I got trying to tell >> I know you're not mad at me. That's just I don't want you to think I'm asking question. >> So many other like my personality is uh I can't talk to people. >> I can't. >> Yeah. But I don't want you to think I'm certainly not. >> I am very pleased that we >> will be able to go home. >> I'm going to figure that out. >> Or am I going to jail or we're going down to dance? >> We're going to have to figure that account out cuz how this thing kind of goes from here. I guess I'm gonna come talk to you about it. Dusty McDonald was arrested, processed, and taken to the Leyon County detention facility where he was charged with one count of firstdegree murder. Few things compared to the horror of the previous case, except the time officers stumbled upon a body hidden under a mattress. >> All right, might as well get out of there. I just want to check over here. I just want to make sure there isn't another. >> Do you remember where you stabbed her? >> I know you said a lot. >> I took a shower. >> On August the 28th, 2022 at America's Best Value Inn in Brandon, Florida. A tragic incident unfolded when Steven Joseph Kosens got into an argument with his girlfriend, a woman in her mid20s named Jennifer. After the altercation, Steven left the premises and the staff didn't think much of it. The following day, on August the 29th, the housekeeping staff stumbled across a gut-wrenching scene inside the couple's room, prompting them to alert the authorities straight away. >> Oh man. Anybody? >> You think? >> No. >> Under the bed. >> Yeah. >> Oh, sweet Jesus. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. >> All right. Might as well get out of there. >> All right, guys. Watch your step. Don't touch anything. >> Might try to clean up the bleach in there. >> 104. Just >> going to close the door and hold it here. No one else was in there, right? >> Uh, we didn't look out of the other bed. >> All right. >> You want to take a look? >> No. No. I'll go in. >> I'll wait till I get some pieces. >> Well, we don't have either. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I don't blame you on that. >> I can borrow yours and look under that bed, but other than that, I'm good. >> Back to the bathroom. Nobody. >> Okay. >> I'm going to try to preserve it as best as I can. >> Yeah. I want to thank murder scene. >> All that stuff. Somebody's trying to do some serious cleaning. >> Yeah. >> I mean, nobody wraps someone up like that underneath the bed and they just natural. >> No. They [ __ ] the treats that they got the bars over it and everything, too. >> Yeah. They slide her under and then >> Well, maybe >> I just want to check over here. >> I just want to make sure there isn't another. >> Nope, it's clear. >> We're clear. >> Can we just see you? Yeah. >> You know what I would suggest we do just in case there's some evidence in the trash can? Just go ahead and just warden off this whole area. >> The last thing officers expected to see was Jennifer's cold, unresponsive body stuffed beneath the mattress with multiple injuries on her, most likely inflicted by a knife. What made the investigation even more dubious was the absence of a suspect on the scene, leaving officers to grasp for any evidence that they could find. Eventually, one deputy discovered bloody sandals in one of the trash cans. However, it still wasn't enough to understand the mechanism of the crime as the majority of the cameras in the area were disconnected. But just when it seemed like a dead end, two apparent witnesses appeared holding critical information. >> Say again. Not that you need no paranormal business just going to eat my food. I haven't >> Did you hear anything last night or last couple days over here? >> Only when there's something so [ __ ] out of their head. You can tell there's no big >> fall down the steps. >> I really don't have anything to say. >> So, can you give us a description of the other person she was with? Oh, I didn't even know you have she is the problem. >> Well, you said there was two people, right? I'm assuming >> staying in the room. >> Yeah, >> there was a whole lot of people. >> Whole lot of people. So, it's been pretty much in and out. >> She's cranky description. You got a druggie party girl that just did too much. Tash stuff and somebody did. >> I mean, she's always up here making a fool of herself. That's all I know. >> Was she with anybody? Overall always sits outside of her door. >> Okay. >> So, >> did did you guys see her with anybody else yesterday or >> I didn't see her with anybody? >> Nobody. >> And you didn't hear just with that one young boy. >> One young boy. Do you know his name? You know what he looks like? >> I don't know. >> Blonde hair. Black hair. >> Brown. >> Brown. >> White nail. I will show other people that I just like I don't want to be my own. I don't care. >> Um >> all I know is there some young >> Is it a white male, black male, Hispanic? >> White guy. >> But then you see white guys. You see the black guys. You see >> there's guys coming all the time. >> There's guys like on a consistent basis. >> Do you remember how tall he is roughly? 58 59 probably >> 5'8 5'9 >> 5'8 >> that's like 6 foot >> How much do you think you weigh? >> 180 >> 180. Any scars or marks or tattoos? >> Not to my knowledge, but I think he has like a little beard strap. >> Unsurprisingly, the witnesses proceeded to describe Jennifer's ex-boyfriend, Steven, who shared the hotel room with her. Without skipping a beat, deputies brought him in for investigation, hoping to get some answers. >> You know, you know why you're here. We know why you're here. And we really want to we want to understand. And the only way that we're going to understand is is through you. Okay? Some things happen, some bad things. Okay? You look like you're going through it. Okay? And you know, just instead of us just hitting me with question after question after question, what do you what is it you think you're here for? >> Okay. And who who is the person that you murdered? >> The investigators naturally expected some resistance as nobody in their sane mind would own up to a crime. They were surprised by how easily Steven described the horrifying deed. We got the hard part out of the way, okay? We want to hear your version of what happened. And look at me, Stephen. Okay? There's no right or wrong version. There's only the truth. Okay? You can tell us a lot of things in here. You can confess to killing 50 people in here, but if the evidence that we have doesn't align with what you're telling us, then we know there's something wrong. Either we have to reassess what we've done or you're you're being dishonest. Fair enough. Okay. So, let's We're not gonna interrupt you, but okay. Just just tell us what happened. We have a pretty good timeline, but just break it down for us. >> Me and her were arguing cuz she says that I was cheating on her with an invisible. >> Okay. >> Okay. She tried to stab me. >> Okay. Let me see what you got there. >> No, don't take them off. Is that That's what that is. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. We'll look at them later. That's fine. And where did this happen at? >> In the hotel. >> Okay. What are you doing when this starts? >> She was getting >> Okay. Okay. Okay. And you were doing what? >> Laying in bed. >> You were laying in bed. Okay. And is she she in the same bed with you? Okay. And there are two beds in the room. Okay. one closest to the door or the one closest to the bathroom? >> Closest to the bathroom. >> Okay. So, you're laying in bed, she's laying in bed, and she starts in with this invisible people. You're having an affair. Okay. And then what happens? >> She tries to attack me cuz she's tired of me being scumbag. >> Okay. >> And I defended myself. >> Okay. And describe that. What What happened? Well, I pushed her off and I got the knife and just >> Okay. All right. And what kind of knife? >> Like a fixed blade or one that you flip open? >> Flip open. Do you Can you describe it? So it's not a Is that the That's the whole knife or is that the blade? The >> whole knife. >> What color? >> Black. >> Black. Okay. >> I'm going to take a couple notes just Okay. How many times you think you stabbed call? >> A lot. A lot. Okay. Okay. Do you remember where you stabbed her? I know you said a lot. >> So, what's going on in this in this moment? Okay. So, you you've disarmed her. She's tried to stab you. You've disarmed her. She is. Uh, you you now have the knife. Okay. And are we on the bed still? You're on the floor. Where at? Between >> In between the beds. >> In between the beds. Okay. And you're on top of her at this point. >> Okay. So, you stab her. You don't know how many times you stabbed her. Okay. But he's just a lot. Okay. So, how, and I know this is kind of a weird question, and I understand that you're probably in a little bit of shock at this point. How long did this confrontation go on? >> 5 minutes. Okay. And is that from the time that she tried to attack you or is that from the time she started accusing you? >> Attacking you. Okay. >> It was clear by Steven's description that his actions had little to do with self-defense and more to do with acting out of rage. But it didn't stop him from still painting that victim narrative. >> Then what happened? >> I was scared. >> I I think that's fair. >> I I I think that's fair. Let Let me ask you a question because we're not trying to We're not trying to paint you as a terrible person. Okay. When you woke up Saturday morning, did you plan on killing Jennifer? Okay. Have you guys fought before? Okay. And is Jennifer a physical person? Get go handsy get handsy with you? >> Okay. And what about you with her previously? Have you guys had not that this matters, but have you guys had >> Okay. Physical >> domestics. >> Domestics, right? That's >> in the Yeah. Yeah. So, that's an all one thing. >> How long you two were you two together? >> Two years. >> Two years. And how long have you been together? Like at the hotel? Not that hotel, but two years you've been together together. So no matter where you were, you were together unless somebody went to jail. Okay. All right. >> Okay. So what happens after >> I took a shower. >> Okay. >> Did you call anybody? >> No. >> Was anybody else there? Okay. What happened after you took a shower? So, where'd you go? Okay. >> It's a lot to process. And then what happens? So now, now you got to deal with it, right? And this is probably stressing you out while you're out walking. Okay. All right. So you you went back to the room. Were you still alone? Okay. And then what did you do? >> I tried to cover it up. >> Okay. Describe to me. So you tried to cover it up. What does that mean? >> Tried. Okay. All right. And what what did you do? >> Used the towels to wipe the floors and everything. Took the bed sheets and wrapped her. Okay. >> And then I stuffed her under the bed. >> So obviously you took your stuff with you. And where's your clothing? >> The woods. >> Okay. >> So the stuff Let me ask. So the stuff that you had on, is it in the woods? >> No, I threw that away. >> You threw it Where did you throw it at? >> In the dumpster. >> That's in the dumpster. At the hotel. Okay. So all right. So the dumpster at the hotel. That's the camouflage pants. And so when you walk when you walk out of the room and down the stairs like looking towards Waffa House, is that the dumpster? >> Okay. All right. And was it in a bag or was it just loose? >> In a bag. What color? You know, >> clear bag. >> Clear trash bag. Okay. Okay. And once you went out, you you got rid of the clothes and the towels that you used to clean up. And what did you do with her stuff? Um, most of it I just packed away in a bag. >> Okay. >> Like I put it with >> the deputies didn't perceive Steven as a victim even once. Rather, they saw him as nothing more than a heartless killer who was trying his best to cover up his heinous crime. >> Remember what you did with a knife? >> Threw it in the lake. >> Threw a knife in the lake. Okay. Which lake >> by Sunonnies? >> Behind the hotel. >> But the one sunny's the one in the circle. >> Okay. Okay. And whereabouts in the lake, you know, >> where were you standing when you tossed it? Do you remember? >> I put it out in the back window. >> Oh, no. That lake that close to the >> Yeah. >> Oh, I had no idea. Okay. >> Did you throw a lighter a ring in the garbage at all? >> A lighter ring. Okay. So, some stuff just f I just asked. >> We had to go through garbage, right? So, we don't know. I mean, we knew the shoes definitely were going to be, you know what I mean? But >> All right. >> So, so you can throw the right out. So, our actual window, >> you know, now that I think about it, yeah, I think I think you can. It's not a big window, but it's it's big enough to throw something out of >> this much space. And I just like that. >> Did you hear it at the water? I watched it. >> Oh, did you? Okay. Cuz at what point was this? Before, after you cleaned up, or during? >> Before I cleaned up. >> Was it before you left? >> Okay. So, before you took a shower. Okay. Did you Why did you think she was dead? >> So much blood, >> right? Was she Was she talking at any point afterwards? No. Not moving, making any sounds? Not gurgling. >> Third one. Right. Okay. And I would I appreciate your honesty. I would expect you to say that. >> So you got scratches on you. It's your fault. You >> I'm talking about on you. >> There's stuff on my back right here. Okay. Okay. I'm see. So you put those band-aids on you. However, the investigator got fed up quickly, deciding to cut to the chase with Steven. >> All right, so I'm going through my notes and um there's there's one part of this that doesn't make sense to me. And I'm not saying you're lying. I'm saying that I I need some clarification, okay? I'm Look, I'm just going to be honest with you because I told you I wouldn't [ __ ] you, okay? So, I don't want to even beat around a bush about it. I'm not feeling like you got attacked with the knife. I'm feeling like you did get attacked, but I'm not feeling the knife part of it. Okay, I see the injury to your hand, right? But from my experience, okay, it's it's not it's not adding up, okay? And let me just tell you this. There's you've been I I think probably one of the most honest people we've interviewed in a long time except the last guy. That guy was unbelievable. But anyway, so was there obviously there was a fight. Okay. There was a disagreement. There was an argument. There was a something. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me that she got out of the bed, went and retrieved your knife and came back and tried to attack you. And I'm just telling you, I'm not seeing the evidence that that's the way it went down. It feels to me like there was a fight. Something did happen and you snapped. Am I right or wrong? I'm right. Okay. Did she go hand Did she get handsy with you or was she just like a Chihuahua just barking and barking and nipping and you just had enough and you you got up and grabbed the knife. Okay. Because you just you were done and the injury on your hand your hand slid down the blade, didn't it? >> Yeah. Yeah. Sit up. Open your hand. This these are blade marks. Yours left side. You got to see those two are pretty deep. Which what hand are you? You right. Okay. You're right-handed. >> Stephen, did it ever Don? Did you ever think to call law enforcement? And this isn't there's no right or wrong answer. >> No, you couldn't undo it. >> Would you if you could? >> Yeah. Let me ask you, have you ever been that I'm I'm going to call it like in a rage. Is that Have you ever been in that place before where you were that angry? How often? >> A lot. >> A lot. So, what made this time different? Was there more to it like to to the fight? Because I'm I'm looking at some of her past like she's so she's she's a working girl, right? Was was there some disagreement over that? No, she was just on your and wouldn't let up >> every day. >> Every day. >> Yeah. like a Chihuahua. You don't like a barking dog nipping at you, you know. I understand. I understand. So, listen, man. Here's the deal, okay? Obviously, you're going to get charged with murder, okay? It's it's going to be seconddegree murder, okay? It's not first degree. Um, you know, obviously you're not dumb. You know, we recorded all of this and we record that to protect you and us, okay? We're not the judge, okay? And we're we're not here to Well, we're not But that's not what we do. You know what I mean? That's out of our wheelhouse. Alls we do is we, you know, we put a case together, we find the evidence, okay? We we do the who done it part and the rest is out of our hands. when I I'm going to leave the room. I'm going to go talk to the state attorney, okay? I'm going to let them know how this conversation went and you know, crime scene, our crime scene people are going to come over. They're going to take some photos of you. >> In the end, Steven was charged with firstdegree murder. While one team faced the horror of finding a body under a mattress, deputies were shocked to discover the dismembered remains of an individual during a welfare check. >> Well, you can come with me cuz they're going to go inside and look for their brother, their family member. That's probably not the best idea. >> No, that's a good idea. >> We found a bag in the bathtub upstairs with bloody >> Why would you need to search one? That's as nice as >> No, like I said, we're we're concerned about the well-being of your room. >> On February the 5th, 2022, a concerned coworker named Kirsty contacted police after her close friend Richard stopped responding to texts and calls. Her concern grew even more because of the fact that Richard and his roommate Nicholas didn't get on very well. She requested a welfare check, but when deputies arrived at the residence, no one answered, prompting them to go back empty-handed. The next day, Kirsty revisited the residence. This time, both with Richard's family members and officers, but the circumstances they were about to walk into would scar them all for life. >> We're the ones that called. >> Yeah, that's my assumption. >> The whole family here, huh? >> Yeah. Uh, brother-in-law, mother, >> sister. >> Yeah, his sister. >> So, you going to go and see? >> Well, no, we have to. >> No, you guys are going to go in. >> He just has to stay. They don't want to hang out here with the officer. >> So, what's what's the story besides what I got was you guys are have, you know, don't like the roommate or there's some problems with the roommates. He has mental health issues and you haven't heard from your brother in a day. >> Um, last last I heard from him was last night. And the only reason it's a concern is cuz his roommate is currently mentally unstable and brought an unregistered firearm with him a few days ago. >> Okay. Um, and they they had some kind of conflicts over the weekend because he was trying to get him to move out >> and then he got from him since last night. >> And no call, no show to work. >> Cool. Um, so you got the key? >> What's her name? >> Chris. >> Uh, no. I haven't I haven't really seen him lately. He said he was going to be doing some camping and stuff and he just wants to get away for a while. So, yeah. No, >> that's super weird. You told me he was going to be home today. Um, he might be sleeping. You mind if I check his bedroom? >> Actually, if you want to check his bedroom, I suppose you should. You could, but >> Yeah, he might be sleeping, you know. >> Yeah. So, please um come on in. Great. >> I was really hoping to uh get some sleep just now, but that is not what's going on. So, >> all right. We'll be out of here shortly. >> Oh, >> appreciate it, man. Yeah. This is all their family. They're just worried about them. >> Yeah. >> Do you want to come out? I'll give you the details. Actually, that's probably okay. I could probably >> This is probably not a good idea. >> Well, they're just going to go check his room. It's all good. >> Yeah, that's what I was trying to >> I appreciate it. Yeah. >> No, dude. I think maybe we if we could just come outside and talk for a minute here. I would appreciate that if we could just do that. Do >> you guys happen to have a smoke on you? Cuz I haven't had a cigarette. I can go check my car, but >> I appreciate that. >> Inside, they met Richard's roommate, Nicholas, who was acting strangely from the start. He nervously tried to stop anyone from going upstairs, raising immediate red flags considering the history between the two. >> I know. >> Yeah. Come on here. I'll check my Come over here. I'll >> It's okay. I'm right here. >> Well, just let him go check the room so we can we can get get out of your hair. >> I was really trying to uh talk with everybody out here for a second. the one girl girlfriend um >> K. >> Yeah, Kane Marie. Yeah. So, um Kay called and she says Richie is not here. I says, "Oh, well, he actually did mention that he wanted to do some camping or something without her cell phone and stuff." So, he just left like two nights ago and I'm not sure even where he is. So, uh, >> did you say you had a cigarette, though? >> I might have a cigarette, but I got to go check my car. >> Okay. Please, please go check your car. >> Well, you can come with me cuz they're going to go inside and look for their brother, their family member. They have a key to get in, so >> Yeah. Yep. >> That's probably not the best idea. >> No, that's a good idea. >> And the cat, too. >> Oh, yes. Actually, the cat does need her medication and stuff. Are you familiar with her medication? >> Rip your point. Just leave it. >> Okay. Yeah, let's let's go ahead and do that real quick. Come on in. >> Huh? >> No, don't. >> Hey, sir. What's your name? >> Uh, Nicholas Dan Cle. Yeah, don't go in there. Uh, that's not a good idea. Uh, don't go where? >> Nowhere. Nowhere. Uh, can we go ahead and Oh, yes. That's a >> Wow. >> Yeah. That's crazy. Hey, >> I think >> she's up. >> No, go up there. No, no. Uh, >> they're going to go check on on their family member. >> Oh, yeah. So, >> so we're here. Let's go get see if we can find you a cigarette. >> Yeah, let's go get a smoke. But, uh, Joe, >> you and I are going to go get a smoke. Come on. Let's go, man. >> You actually I would actually like three smokes or something. >> Well, if I find some, I'll give you some. >> Yeah. I'm telling you right now. >> Come on, dude. Come on. Come on. >> Come on, bro. >> Please. No. >> Yeah, let's go, man. >> After you. >> No, but listen. I'm trying to >> We're going to get a smoke. >> Well, no. >> I'm going to see if I got one. >> What? >> It's not a good idea. >> No, let's get some smokes, though. >> Well, you're not listening. She was Oh. Oh my god. Why is she going to hurt yourself? >> I can't hear you. >> Why can't you tell me? >> Please stop. >> What's the What's going on, man? >> Uh I don't exactly know what's going on, but like um do you see you had a smoke? >> I'm going to go look for one. Yeah. >> Oh, that would be Well, uh I haven't had a smoke for >> Sometimes I have him in my in my you know my car >> days or so. >> Dang, it's a long time. >> It was Well, let's let's go let's go check his car out, man. You said you might have one. >> I I know what's going to happen at that moment. Real quick. Let me Let me sit down. >> Yeah. Take a seat right there. >> I had a very long and >> No, man. There's We don't I don't have any. Sometimes I have them spares lying around in the side of the door, but they're >> You don't right. I don't deserve a snow. >> No, I can say that. I just don't have one. >> No, I completely understand. Uh, but I'm trying to I I really don't think it's a good idea or uh what am I talking about? They're going to do whatever they want because they're a family. And so, yeah, >> Nicholas's behavior became increasingly erratic the more the officers and family began looking around. And while initially deputies were confused over why he'd act that way, it all became clear when the family suddenly ran out of the house, faces pale with horror. Sir, we need you in here, please. >> Well, what's going on? Why don't you come out here and tell me? >> Why is he Wait, I didn't tell you. I'm not saying nothing. >> No, I'm talking to her. >> No, but it's not I was trying to >> You found a bag in the bathtub upstairs with bloody >> I'm not sure something. >> Okay. Did you find your family member? >> No. >> Okay. All right. >> Okay. So, >> you said nothing. You go this way. >> 16. >> No. >> No. You go. >> I'm going to need a second. Probably super high. >> No. >> Yeah. Go. Here. Go sit down. Go sit down. >> Hey, can you guys go pull the car up so that she can sit down? >> Do something. We are going to do something. What I need you to do right now is I need you to go sit in your car. All right. We're going to do something. Can I get another officer here besides supervisor sir? Can I get start your name, please? >> Oh, yes. My name is Nicholas. >> He went camping. >> Yes, sir. >> Did he go by himself? >> I suppose he went with a couple people. I don't know who he went. He just said he wanted to go camping. He's been known to go camping for a few days. He used to do that with his parents and stuff. I don't know. >> And you guys have been getting along. Any problems with the two of you? >> No, everything's fine. >> Yeah. He just went camping. >> And you said he was with a girl or something? >> I don't know. But he just left. >> He has a girlfriend. >> No. >> Oh, okay. >> All right. All right. So, where all do you guys go inside the house? >> I got me and went upstairs >> and she checked all the other rooms. interesting in the other rooms. So, she went for his bathroom and then I followed her in there. >> Is there a bathroom, a common bathroom or just for him? >> Just for him. >> Okay. >> So, there is a common bathroom upstairs, but there's nothing in that one >> in in the master bathroom. >> In the master bathroom. That's his bedroom. >> Two white trash bags coated in what I would assume is blood. Heavier. Just picked it up by the edge with this hand, but heavier than I'd say 25 lbs of sugar. And one of the bags had what I would uh >> Did you open them up? >> I tried to. There's like bags within bags. So I I just There was more red blood on those, but one of the bags was protruding out. Some ripped out, which I with this one as well. And then there's blood on Robert living in the floor, smeared, dried like 10. >> And then did you guys go in the garage and look at his car? >> Car's there, but I didn't see you go inside like look inside the garage. >> No, I didn't. Horrified by the discovery, the officers tried to remain as calm as possible. But he knew he had a case of a psychopath on his hands. And the more Nicholas spoke, the more obvious that theory became. >> Nicholas, I got a question for you, man. So, they're they're obviously worried about their family member, right? Um, and when when they went up into his room, they're telling me that they found uh a couple of garbage bags that are really heavy that have blood on them. >> Yeah. I don't even know what that's about. I haven't seen them. >> Another question. Uh, you don't have a firearm or anything in the house, do you? I do. >> You do? Where is it? But it's not loaded or anything. >> Um, yeah. >> It's in your room. It's not loaded. Where is it in your room? On my bed. >> On your bed. >> Yeah. >> Like just sitting there. >> Okay. You said it's not loaded. Where's Where's the ammunition? >> In the whatever the magazine maybe it's called. >> And where's the magazine? In the gun. >> No. I think No. I think I cleared it out. You know. >> You think you carried it out? I think so. Yeah. But yeah, like I said, I don't I don't know. Just insanity or something. I don't [ __ ] know. I plead the fifth. I don't I don't know anymore. >> And why you worried about pleading the fifth? Like why why you bringing that up? >> I don't know. Isn't that how that works? >> How what works? >> Temporary insanity, I guess. >> Temporary insanity. Why you talking about temporary insanity? >> I don't know what you're talking about. >> Well, I'm just I'm asking you why you asked why you said those things. I have no idea. >> You don't know why you said? >> I'm not sure. >> I believe the fifth and temporary sanity. >> I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. >> Okay. Do you have any uh You don't have your gun on you right now, do you? >> Absolutely not. >> I see your I see you have a knife in your pocket. >> Do I have a knife? >> Yeah, you have a knife. >> Oh, that's a carry knife. Oh, no. This is This is just one of those >> for my safety. Can I take that for you for a little bit? >> My knife? >> Yep. >> I don't You got anything in here either? What's What's all this >> that I know? Keys? >> I don't know. I think so. >> You mind if I look just filling the outside of this packet, too? Is that cool? >> Sure. >> That's just your wallet. >> Yeah, that's for my wallet. >> All right. Look, I'm just going to set this right over here. >> Yep. >> He came back and you found him where >> it like you found like that. What does that mean? I have no idea. Just I didn't even find him, you know? He was just he just came back and then he's here like I didn't find him any which way. It's okay. I guess I don't need to smoke anymore ever. Actually, I don't deserve to be able to smoke cigarettes. Like why why don't you deserve to smoke a cigarette? >> He said I don't have the money for it. I don't have I can't afford them. So why >> got smoke? You know, >> it would be You know what? I'm going to shut the up. >> Well, I mean, you're not under arrest or anything. We're just here to check on the roommate and they found some things that they that make them worry and because of that now we're just going to go inside and check. That's it. So any information that you have to help, you know, >> Richie wasn't my good friend. >> He's still my good friend. Why? Why do you smoke? >> Oh my gosh. What? Okay, listen. I wish. And it's okay. I don't I don't need a cigarette. >> I don't deserve I Well, I would like to smoke. That's not important. I think I'm just going to sit. Officers needed to take a look at whatever was inside for their investigation. But Nicholas tried his best to deter them, further complicating an already messed up situation. >> Thing moving along so we can get out of here. Right. The family's obviously going gone upstairs to check on their loved one. >> Yeah. >> Right. And they found some stuff that made them a little afraid. >> Yeah. Like I said, I >> So because because he isn't here and you live here, >> right? >> We want to ask you, right, if it's cool if we go inside and check on his things. >> I mean, I don't know. I I have not been up here. I have not been here lately. I've been out and about trying to do Door Dash and stuff like that, you know. >> But yeah, I I live here. Yeah. We want to go upstairs, right, and look in the master bedroom where it's uh your roommate's bedroom for him just to check on him and see what's in there. All right. >> Yeah, if that's if that's what Yeah. I mean, wait, you want to go upstairs and do what? >> Want to check to make sure everybody's okay. >> Well, go by all means, like make sure everybody's okay. Yeah. I mean, >> uh >> Yeah. Yeah, I just heard a lot of like movement. I thought something was happening over there. I was just like, "Okay, whatever." It sound like something was hitting the wall. >> What time was that? >> I want to say it was like probably midnight or like >> Yeah. >> We'll just have you sign something real quick. >> I'm not so sure. I'm not so sure. Uh going in right now would be a good idea, actually. >> What do you mean? >> Well, he's just uh let him let him stay. Um he's gone somewhere, is he not? I mean, >> I'm sorry. What? >> Is he he's gone somewhere, is he not? your roommate? >> Yes. Just >> Well, I don't know where Where did he go? >> He went camping. >> How did he get there? >> I don't know. He's got some friends and stuff. Yeah. I last time I talked to him, but I mean I I his friend, but I don't I don't talk. >> Well, his family said he talked to him last night and he wasn't camping. >> He wasn't camping. No, I have no idea. >> You're saying he went camping 2 days ago and took his phone? >> Couple of days. Well, I don't He didn't tell them last night. >> He mentioned he wanted to not take his phone and stuff. >> Yeah, that's fine. But they talked to him last night. >> He talked to them last night. Who talked to him though? >> The family saying they talked to him last night at 7:00 p.m. >> I don't know. I don't have He didn't tell me about it, but >> Okay. >> Yeah. I think it would be best not to go and >> Oh, you don't want us to go in there? >> No, I don't think it would be a good idea. >> Is there a reason for that? >> I No, there's no reason. It's just I still got to probably go back to work and stuff and so I didn't do nothing. I'm not under arrest or anything like that. >> Concerned with her family, which makes sense to me, too. >> Yeah. I mean, they're they're concerned that Hey, Dietrich. >> Yeah, >> he changed his mind. >> Yeah, they saw some stuff inside that's concerning. Okay, so we want to go inside and make sure that everybody's okay. >> They saw some blood and stuff like that. So, they're concerned that their family member could be hurt, but >> uh what I'm what I'm thinking is um I'm not going to think of anything. Yeah. >> But you don't want us going in there? >> You're not going to give us consent? >> I don't think there's no reason to. >> All right, hang tight. As time passed by, it became clear that Nicholas would not allow the officers to enter the house, leaving them with no choice but to restrain him to figure out exactly what he was hiding. >> Five 56 months or so. Not >> Oh, that's it. Where we at Fort? Were you still here in Federal Way or were you in a different city? >> Yeah, something. But I don't really recall where I was exactly. It was >> uh 702. >> You work at uh Jimmy John? >> Jimmy John? >> Yeah, but JJ had thought that was Jimmy. >> Oh, yeah. No, that just that's just a show hat like >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I do Door Dash like >> Okay. You like it? >> Do I like it? Good days and bad days. >> Yeah. It's like every job, man. But it's you that can determine if it is a good day. Don't let other people determine if it's going to be a bad day. >> Yes. And no. There's I'm going to get a coat. I'm going to go get a coat on. Is that Can I Can I do that? >> You're going to get a coat on? I would prefer no. >> Why? Why? Why do I not? I don't want you to go back inside right now until we can figure out what's going on out here. >> We have some sort of suspicion of something going on. >> Now, because we didn't find or you guys didn't find, you know, a human being, um, and that removes kind of our authority to go in for a welfare check, right? If we if we if we if we the law says that if we have reason to believe that somebody's life is in imminent risk of, you know, of bodily harm, that kind of stuff, then we can go in right away and make sure that everybody is safe. Okay? Because that doesn't exist right now. What we're doing is we have to follow the law. He's asking, you know, he's said some some suspicious things to you. >> You mind if I go in with you? >> Sure. Come on. Yeah, you can stand at the door. Where's the code at? >> FYI, there is a gun on his bed in his room. >> Never mind. Don't go back in yet. >> I'm not. >> What? >> I can't walk in with you to get the coat, right? >> No, I think >> No, I was trying to. >> The reason why I don't want you inside right now is supposedly there's a gun inside. >> Yeah, it's upstairs, but it's fine. And we appreciate that that you're letting us know, but for everybody's safety 100% of the time, they we're going to just keep people in away from guns, right? Even if they're their own guns right now. So, we just want you to just That's one of the reasons why we're going to ask you to >> So, I should have Oh my goodness. So, >> he's not allowed in there. >> You're not allowed in here. >> All right. You know what? You know what? Never mind. I don't need I don't need it. I don't need it. I don't need it. I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm fine. >> You guys already prosec >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, at this time though, because you know, cuz the suspicion >> Well, our you know, our hope obviously is that >> everything is fine and who knows that that is no crime really really well. >> That's our hope. But if in the event that that's not the case, we want to make sure that every any evidence that we collect, anything that we find out has was is done according to the law. >> She's his coworker and best friend. She's the one that originally called for the first welfare check and she was chatting with him last night. So I'll get your information like stoping and stuff. >> Desperate and erratic, Nicholas searched for any way to get back into the house, hoping to cover up evidence of his heinous crime. >> Damn it. I should go take a pee in my bathroom real quick. You guys mind if I >> No, you got to go back inside. >> But I'd like to go pee. >> Well, you can't go pee inside. You can't We're not letting you back inside right now. >> So I can pee out here. >> I'm not going to stop you. >> That's very nice. Um, but I can go back inside. But that's okay. I don't need to go back inside. Yeah, I'll just pee by the tree. >> Can't hold it. >> What? You want me to hold them? >> Huh? >> You want me to hold what? >> I mean, you can't hold it like a big boy. >> Oh, yes. Right here. I go pee on a tree, right? You guys don't want me to go pee? I don't know. >> Well, I mean, we don't want you to pee out in public. You can hold it. But I understand it frustrates. Go inside the bathroom. >> I was just going to go pee right on the tree. That way it's out of the way and nobody's in looking, right? Isn't that how people can pee or? >> Yeah. And that's how people pee outside. >> Yeah, cuz that's what I have to do is pee outside. You're saying hold it? I don't know. I'm going to try to just pee real quick, >> fellas. He's going to take a pee real quick. He can't hold it. Yep. Yep. Y I don't quite understand my order. I don't know what Wait a minute. >> Yeah, I can hold it. >> No, you could. >> Yep, I can hold it. >> Yep. No, you could. >> I don't understand what you guys >> We're trying to figure that out, too, my friend. >> It's not cuz you're you're a good guy. You're you've been talking to us. So, I appreciate that. >> You know what? I don't need to talk to you guys. I mean, I just I I do I haven't I haven't seen him at all lately, but I need to go get ahead. >> What do you need to do? >> There's something going on. >> Nothing's going on, man. Nothing's going on. >> What are you guys doing? >> I'm good. Do you want us to both stand right here? >> Uh, absolutely not. I I liked you over on that side and maybe him just standing right there and then I was going to go pee right there and then I got to have peripheral vision over here on this one and then peripheral vision over there on that one. Who knows, you know? But um I'm going to sit down. >> Hey, so uh I don't know if they kind of told you what's going on right now. Uh I got some detectives that want to come out and talk to you real quick. Right now it sounds like we're probably going to get a search warrant for your residence. >> I don't think they we don't need a search warrant. Actually, I don't need a search warrant. Feel free. >> We We do though. >> Why you Why would you need a Oh, you Why would you need a search warrant? That's as nice as >> No, like I said, we're we're concerned about the well-being of your >> After what felt like an eternity, the police were finally able to obtain a search warrant and an arrest warrant for Nicholas. But when they finally obtained entry into his house, they were met with something that would haunt them forever. >> Hey, Nicholas. Uh, you are under arrest. Just stay seated. Okay. We're going to grab your hands and put them behind your back. I'd rather use this. I'd rather I'd rather >> Come on, man. >> I'm not trying to not Wait. Time out. Time. Time. What is >> We're going to have you talk to our detectives. >> Why are we Why do we have so many people around me? >> How many people we got here right now? So, we're going to take you back to our station, have you talk to detectives? We're going to advise you to write real quick. Okay. >> Okay. I'm I can't move. Supposed to move. No problem. >> I'm not really doing so good. >> Uh Nicholas, you have the right to remain silent. Anything that you say can will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right at this time to talk to a lawyer and have him present with you while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before questioning if you wish. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. Uh do you understand each of these rights as I've explained them to you? Nicholas, you understand these rights if I explain them to you. >> All right, we're going to walk to a car over here, Nicholas. >> Inside the home, detectives discovered the unthinkable. Trash bags containing Richard's dismembered remains scattered across the house, hidden in closets, bathrooms, and under furniture. Nearby, they found a 9mm pistol, a machete, bloody socks, and even a hatchet under a pillow. In the living room, there were apparent blood stains on the floor. But despite the horrific discoveries, Nicholas remained ever so calm. Holding no remorse over his psychopathic tendencies. >> All right, bud. Here, lean back so I can get this uh seat belt a little loose for you. Good. >> I would like these cuffs off. >> Yeah, we're going to get you just in just a little bit. We're going to walk inside. >> But like these cuffs are not beneficial for me. >> One, two, three. Step aside right here so I can close the door. We're going to go right to that door right there and we'll get you out of him in just a second. >> I don't know if I can leave you anymore. Guess what you keep saying? >> Okay, how about this? A few minutes. >> Well, I would like to uh just get out of now and then. But I I don't have a choice, do I? I'm trying to >> I wonder why though. I'm a bit of a person. Why have I seen you before? I've seen you before. And >> we we you know we've been hanging out and talking for like the last almost two hours if that's what you mean. Although your name does kind of ring a bell. >> It's fine. I don't need to look like I'm a bad guy that way. >> You need to stop. I'm not a bad guy. I'm actually >> Oh yes. Please take these cups off. Yeah, we're not going to do that. >> How am I supposed to sit down? >> Put your feet in. >> We can't do this anymore. This is This has to stop. I cannot keep having this happen. >> Especially out when I didn't do anything. Even though Listen to me. >> Okay. >> Listen to me. >> I'm listening. You can do >> I cannot get in with these handcuffs. Listen to me. >> Look that way for me. >> You're not listening. >> Look that way for me. I'm going to put this on you. >> Stop. Stop. >> You're not listening. >> I am listening. I did not do anything. >> But that's to blame me that I did something. >> Can you scoot back? >> No. How am I supposed to No, these things are >> Okay, look that way again. >> I can't listen. Listen. You're not Why are you not listening? >> I am listening. >> Cuz you are not I'm not important anymore. I >> listen to you, sir. >> Listen. These these cuffs on my fingers. I cannot get I just supposed to be. >> It was later revealed that Nicholas had fired at Richard, hitting him in the back of the head. And when Richard didn't pass away immediately, he fired four more rounds. Then he methodically dismembered his body and scattered the remains throughout the home. In the end, Nicholas was arrested and charged with murder, and his bail was set at $2 million. Speaking of one in a million discoveries, deputies were horrified to find a woman injured at the hands of a junky psychopath. >> She's in here. >> There's blood in the elevator. >> She Somebody stabbed her. >> Someone stabbed you? >> Yes. >> What? Why did he stab you? >> He just stabbed me. He's on drug. He's crazy. >> He has a stab wound in the neck. >> I don't know. He's He's going to kill himself. >> On March the 26th, 2024, the Los Angeles Police Department's Olympic Division received a 911 call reporting an attack involving a knife at a residential building in the 3900 block of Wilshshire Boulevard. >> Baby, LA City 911 operator. Baby, go get the security guard. Go to the apartment above us. Somebody's getting attacked. >> Hello, >> the apartment above mine. Somebody's getting beat the up. >> I hear screaming. >> Um, the address is 39. Get this security guard. Go upstairs. Knock on the door above us. Somebody's getting attacked. Um, there's a girl screaming. Address is 39 Wilshire Boulevard for apartments. I hear a woman screaming. I hear a ton of banging. >> Ma'am, do you know what she is? Um, I'm in one. So, she should be in two. She's still screaming. >> Let me go ahead and >> don't hang up. Let me officers first. >> Okay. >> Walter Boulevard 282 2022. The caller, a concerned neighbor, had heard screams and discovered a woman injured on one of the ground floor apartments. But when officers finally arrived, they were left horrified by the extent and severity of the lady's injuries. >> It's me, babe. >> You got her screaming. >> Who is she? >> I don't know. She's just upstairs. >> She's in here. >> There's blood in the elevator on the second floor. >> Okay. >> What's going on? >> There's somebody with this crazy guy at my friend's house. There you go. >> And he has like a crazy go there. >> Okay. >> Then >> 2036 kind of hard to find my location for a female conscious and breathing approximately 25 years of age. Uh so suffering from multiple lacerations. >> The door was the door. >> Okay. Just leave a little partners are coming. So where where do you live? I know he's the second floor, right? >> 36 location female constant breathing approximately 25 30 years of age suffering from multiple lacerations. Hey, you're coming in broken. Repeat if they're breathing. I'm 36. How do you read me? >> 171 with the bird. You're still coming in. >> 2136. Can I get an RA to my location for a female practice and breathing approximately 30 years of age suffering a puncture wound to her throat. They also get additional units and uh 236. Be advised the victim is going to be an apartment 36. Roger. Correction. Apartment one. >> All right. What? What happened, ma'am? >> Thank you. >> She Somebody stabbed her. >> Someone stabbed you? >> Yes. >> Where? >> The The guy. He's in two right now. >> He's in two. Who is he? >> I don't know. He's my friend's friend. >> He's your friend. Why? >> I know him. >> Why? Why did he stab you? >> He just stabbed me. He's on drug. He's crazy. >> Jab with a knife. >> How many times did he stab you? >> I don't know. >> Does he still have a knife? >> Yes. >> Yeah. What What kind of knife is it? >> I don't know. He's going to kiss him. How far in my life? >> He's too How tall is he? >> I don't know. He's white. >> He's white. >> Do you know how how tall the So what? >> 63 64. I don't know. I'm fading out. >> Okay. Just just keep talking. Okay. Just keep talking to me. Okay. >> No. No. Just keep talking to me. So, wait. Were you guys arguing and he just stabbed you or? >> I was in the shower. >> Uh-huh. and he barricaded me and I started saying he was going to kill me from outside the shower. >> Okay. >> All I heard was him moving like tables against the front door. >> Okay. >> Yeah. He was the whole door hand. >> Okay. >> Hold it up to your Do you want to lay down? Let's lay down. >> Who Who else is up there? >> Do you know his name? >> He's like Daniel or something. >> Daniel or something? and he said he was going to kill. >> After speaking with the victim, the first officer quickly coordinated with backup units to lock down the building's exits, cutting off any chance of escape. He then led a team to the second floor apartment, unaware of what plans the suspect had for them. >> We're going to move up this second door. Okay, so we're going to bypass the first one. >> Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Hold here. Hold here. You going to scoot to the scoot to the right and I do nothing. Okay. So, just watch your muscle for me. >> No. >> This is the Los Angeles Police Department. Mike, in two, come out with your hands up. Do you hear anything? >> He said something. I can't hear. >> Hey, Mike. >> Hey, Mike. We need you to come out. >> No. >> Hey, Mike. >> What happened? >> Okay, we need to make sure you're okay. Please saying go away. >> Hey Mike, we just got to make sure you're okay. Can you open the door for us? What? >> He's saying no. >> Okay, Mike, is there anybody else inside? >> Hey, Mike. >> I'm not getting answered. Upon reaching the door, the officers expected the suspect, identified as Daniel, to surrender peacefully, but all they got was silence. Meanwhile, another officer canvased nearby residents, gathering critical details about the suspect's behavior, and what they found left them absolutely stunned. >> Do you have all the information? >> Not yet. >> I have to get you the unit. >> You do? >> Yes. can uh take it. So, who lives here? >> This I stay here. >> And then who's >> Yes. >> So, who's the other guy in there? >> Daniel. >> Daniel. >> Yes. >> No. No. >> Does Daniel live here? >> No. He's just staying here temporarily while he's taking care of his cities. >> Let's go here. I'm going go. Hey, let's go here. >> What are you diagnosed with? I vom whole bunch of stuff. >> Okay. What's his What's his last name? >> Daniel Bramley. >> How you spell that? >> D R >> Yeah. >> A M. >> Yeah. >> L E Y. >> Okay. What's his first name? >> Daniel. >> And no one else should be in there, right? >> Nobody else is in there. >> Okay. You know his birthday? >> I don't know his birthday. >> But how old is he? >> About maybe 38. 39. >> So 38 to 40. >> Yeah. >> Do you have his phone number? >> Um, yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Army is male. >> Male white. >> Yes. >> Is she okay? >> I don't know. Do >> you know? Were you here when when anything happened or No, I just got the call. This is not We're not on our way. I'm calling on your phone. I need you to wake up and answer or yell out, hang on the door, hang on the wall. Let me know if you can get >> You can put that down. Yeah. We got a plan in place. We're going to move up and uh repeat unlock that door inside. What's that? Okay. We're going to have to get small pushing the doorway. >> As Daniel refused to step out, the officers quickly regrouped and formed a new plan. But just as they closed in, they hit their first major obstacle. Where are you? All right. to make sure is barricaded. >> Finally, the officers decided to access the apartment's balcony and using appropriate tools, broke the window to enter. But what they found next sent another wave of shock through them. Where are you? Where are you? Don't be too far. I like it. Daniel, put all hands up for me. >> Daniel, we're not leaving. Let me get you medical treatment, but you need to listen to me. Stick both hands up. I can see you have nothing in them. >> Daniel, take that phone off and put both hands in the air. >> Oh my god. on his left side. >> No. >> Bed is empty. The floor was empty. >> The lights on. >> Put both hands in the air and we'll come get you help. >> Just stick both hands up so we can see them. >> Put both hands in the air and just leave them there. Daniel, you're doing good. Just stick both hands up in the air. >> Daniel, you need to put both hands out. I need to be able to see your hands. >> Yeah. Step in. >> Two guys going through the front door. I got some food on my back. We got a Oh, >> god. Oh my god. Oh my god. Josh. >> Yes. >> That 146. >> Okay. Daniel, >> you want Hey, we have cigarettes outside. >> We'll give you cigarettes outside. >> In the dimly lit room, the suspect was found lying on the floor with a knife nearby. It appeared that Daniel had inflicted self-injuries on himself, perhaps to avoid the incoming consequences. The officers tried their best to lure him out, but with each passing moment, hope began to fade. Just like that, I can see you're doing good. Just like that. I'm going to get my cigarette. What is going on? Let's put on >> I think we could grab one right here. >> Daniel, >> Daniel, put your hands behind your back. >> Behind my back. >> I ain't no light. Okay, code. We have the suspect in custody. We're going to need the temp's uh in here. We can try to walk him out. >> I can't see very well. Okay, I help you. I don't know. I have to >> make sure he doesn't have a patrol there. transport. >> Hey, do me a favor. Till control shows up. >> Hey, first control you see. Grab them. We're going to go one day. came with that robot. I got it. You want to hang out here? Get ready. Yeah. All right. Okay. Your bag's under. >> I got it. >> A later investigation revealed a history of domestic disputes between the two roommates, culminating in this tragic event. Both the victim and the suspect were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Daniel, however, succumbed to his injuries a