An Indiana man, Brandon Criss, has been arrested and charged with murder, arson, and animal cruelty after allegedly killing his girlfriend’s stepfather, 64-year-old James “David” Higar, in what he claims was an act of revenge against a child molester.
The incident, which took place early Sunday in Linton, Indiana, led to the discovery of Higar’s body inside a bathroom, suffering from fatal stab wounds, as well as a dead dog.
The Discovery of the Crime
The investigation began when first responders arrived at a home in Linton, about 90 miles southwest of Indianapolis, to find a fire burning.
Upon entering the residence, authorities discovered Higar’s lifeless body in the bathroom, showing signs of being stabbed in the neck and shoulder. In addition to the body, a deceased dog was found at the scene.
According to a probable cause arrest affidavit from the Indiana State Police, a witness reported that Criss, 39, came to his home earlier in the night, covered in blood.
Criss allegedly showed the witness a photo of a man who appeared to be dead, saying he had just killed David Higar. The photo depicted a man, laying naked on the bathroom floor, covered in blood and with visible wounds.
Criss’s Claims and Investigation
The investigation uncovered a troubling background between Criss and Higar. Criss had allegedly threatened in the past to harm or kill any of his fiancée’s family members who visited him.
After learning that Criss was a suspect, police received a call from a woman who reported that Criss had approached her son at a nearby gas station, asking him to take a jacket and knife that he had because he believed he had killed someone.
When police found Criss at the gas station, he was wearing boots with red stains, which later appeared to be blood. Officers took him to the Linton Police Department for questioning.
Criss’s Initial Denial and Change in Story
During the interview, Criss claimed he had been drinking all day and had an argument with his girlfriend before taking a walk.
He denied having any involvement in Higar’s death, insisting that he had no idea why he was being arrested. “Where’s the physical evidence?!” Criss reportedly said, adding that people in the town were setting him up and that he had many “haters.”
However, when detectives examined Criss’s cellphone, they found a photo of Higar’s body, which had been deleted from the phone’s regular photo gallery but was still in a hidden folder.
Confronted with this evidence, Criss’s story changed dramatically. He then claimed that the killing was a “hate crime” against Higar, accusing him of being a child molester.
Background and Motive
Criss’s girlfriend later told detectives that Criss had been sexually assaulted as a child, which made him particularly hostile toward child molesters.
Although she believed Criss and Higar had been close, she admitted that Criss became aggressive while drinking alcohol. The affidavit does not provide any further details about the child molestation allegation or why Criss believed Higar was involved in such behavior.
Criss also reportedly expressed a preference for being sent to federal prison instead of state prison, stating that he thought this crime could be classified as a federal offense if it were labeled a hate crime.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Brandon Criss was arrested and charged with murder, arson, and animal cruelty following the tragic death of James Higar. He remains in the Greene County Jail without bond, with a scheduled court date set for November 5.
The case has raised several questions, including the motive behind Criss’s extreme actions, his allegations about Higar, and his claims of a “hate crime.” As the investigation continues, more details may emerge about the relationship between Criss and his girlfriend’s family, as well as the true nature of the events leading to Higar’s death.
