Particular person of Curiosity in Homicide Case Dies by Suicide on Video Name with Police

An individual of curiosity in a 2010 Oklahoma homicide case shot himself useless whereas being questioned in regards to the killing on a Zoom name with authorities, in keeping with reviews.

On Saturday, Could 31, Michael Wayne Thomas, 54, died by suicide in a wooded space outdoors a on line casino in Kansas, per The Oklahoman, citing his legal professional, Ed Blau.

The Oklahoma Metropolis Police Division (OCPD) had been asking the person about Julie Mitchell, who was discovered crushed to loss of life in her dwelling in November 2010, as her 13-month-old child laid untouched by her aspect, native ABC-affiliated station KOCO reported. The case remains unsolved.

Blau had been representing Thomas since 2012, with the legal professional telling KOCO 5 Information that his consumer had beforehand been interviewed 5 – 6 instances by police. Thomas had reportedly refused to be interviewed in particular person this time, as an alternative choosing a video name.

Blau stated that his consumer — who had denied any involvement in 34-year-old Mitchell’s homicide — had been speaking for round 45 minutes earlier than his loss of life, per The Oklahoman.

“The cellphone landed proper by his head so we obtained to listen to him die, hear the loss of life rattle,” the legal professional advised the outlet on Tuesday, June 3. “It was as surprising and horrific as you possibly can think about.”

The OCPD’s Grasp Sergeant, Gary Knight, stated of Thomas, “He had agreed to be interviewed by detectives, however solely on the stipulation that he wasn’t going to be on the similar location. He wished to be in a fashion like a Zoom name,” per KOCO.

“Beggars cannot at all times be choosers, and that is someone we wished to speak to, we wanted to speak to. There have been questions we wanted to have answered by him,” Knight continued, telling the outlet that the questions remained unanswered round 40 minutes into the decision.

“He selected to tug out a pistol and shoot himself, ending his life,” Knight stated, per the station, including, “I do not keep in mind in my time right here, 35 years right here, somebody killing themselves throughout an interview.”

In keeping with The Oklahoman, Julie Mitchell was the spouse of Teddy Mitchell, who had been accused in Oklahoma Metropolis federal courtroom of reportedly internet hosting “unlawful high-stakes poker video games at his dwelling and taking unlawful bets on sporting occasions.”

Per an FBI Oklahoma Metropolis Division release, in January 2014, Teddy Mitchell was sentenced to serve 27 months in federal jail for working an unlawful playing operation. 

Mitchell had been touring to California on the time of his spouse’s loss of life, The Oklahoman famous.

Julie Mitchell’s physique had been present in the main bedroom closet of their dwelling and $30,000 was reportedly lacking from a closet secure, The Oklahoman reported.

Thomas’ firm checkbook had beforehand been discovered on the Mitchells’ property after the homicide, however he is at all times denied any involvement within the killing, the outlet acknowledged.

He advised The Oklahoman in 2012, “I — 100% — didn’t. That is for certain.”

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Thomas, who beforehand offered insurance coverage in an workplace in Edmond, reportedly advised the FBI that he’d performed poker at Teddy Mitchell’s home, in addition to putting bets with him, per the outlet, which cited a 2011 report. He additionally advised authorities he’d let Teddy Mitchell change into a associate in his enterprise to assist repay his playing debt, after offering him with autos and actual property insurance coverage.

“I actually hope you resolve the case,” Thomas advised OCPD’s Knight, The Oklahoman reported. The officer added that Thomas was nonetheless thought-about an individual of curiosity amid the unsolved investigation.

The OCPD and Blau’s legislation agency did not instantly reply when contacted by PEOPLE for extra data.

Should you or somebody you already know is contemplating suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Disaster Lifeline by dialing 988, textual content “STRENGTH” to the Disaster Textual content Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.