A man in Indiana is facing serious charges after he allegedly killed his girlfriend’s stepfather, James “David” Higar, in a violent attack.
Brandon Criss, 39, has been arrested and charged with murder, arson, and animal cruelty after an investigation revealed shocking details surrounding the killing. Let’s break down the events leading up to his arrest.
The Murder and Investigation
The investigation began early on Sunday morning when firefighters responded to a house fire in Linton, about 90 miles southwest of Indianapolis.
Inside the home, they found 64-year-old David Higar dead in the bathroom with apparent stab wounds to his neck and shoulder. They also discovered a dead dog at the scene.
Witnesses told police that Criss had arrived at a friend’s house covered in blood earlier that night. Criss allegedly showed his friend a photo of a dead man, bragging about having just killed Higar. He also admitted to setting the house on fire.
Tensions Between Criss and Higar
According to Higar’s nephew, Criss and Higar had been on bad terms. Criss had previously threatened to kill anyone from his fiancée’s family who came to visit.
Officers later tracked Criss down at a nearby gas station, where he was wearing boots with red stains on them. He was arrested and taken to the Linton Police Department for questioning.
Criss’ Story and Changing Statements
During the police interview, Criss claimed he had been drinking heavily all day and had argued with his girlfriend before going for a walk. He denied hurting anyone and seemed confused about why he was under arrest, claiming that people were trying to set him up.
However, police found a photo of Higar’s body on Criss’ cellphone, showing a naked, bloody man lying on the bathroom floor. When confronted with this evidence, Criss changed his story.
The “Hate Crime” Claim
Criss allegedly told detectives that the murder was a “hate crime” because he believed Higar was a child molester. He said he didn’t want to go to state prison and expressed a preference for federal prison if he was going to be incarcerated for life.
He later explained that he hated child molesters due to his own childhood trauma, although his girlfriend said Criss and Higar were close. She also mentioned that Criss became aggressive when drinking alcohol.
Charges and Arrest
Criss was arrested and is now facing charges of murder, arson, and animal cruelty. He remains in the Greene County Jail without bond, and his next court date is set for November 5.
Brandon Criss is behind bars after allegedly killing his girlfriend’s stepfather, setting the house on fire, and claiming the murder was a “hate crime.” The case is still under investigation, and Criss faces serious charges in connection with the violent act.
