A 28-year-old Iowa man has been charged with the gruesome murder of his mother in their home in Dubuque this week.
A friend of Jennifer Ann Dazey, 46, called police just before 9 a.m. on Thursday after finding her body in a bedroom, KWWL reported. Court documents said two of her fingers had been severed, and she had “significant” injuries to her neck, face, and head.
Police found Tyler Dazey naked in his room and “not everly responsive.” He was charged with first degree murder in his mother’s death and animal abuse causing death for the death of the family dog, which was found dead on the sofa from head injuries.
Police found a tactical tomahawk in the bathroom and its sheath on the dining room table after securing a search warrant for the house, The Telegraph Herald reported. Police did not say if they believed it was the murder weapon, but it was sent to a crime lab for analysis.
Tyler Dazey was checked out at a hospital before he was questioned by detectives, KWWL said. Documents say that he admitted the tomahawk was his and said that his mother was practicing witchcraft against him and had been doing so for years.
He invoked his right to remain silent when asked about her injuries.
Bond for Dazey was set at $2 million at a bond hearing, according to The Telegraph Herald.
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[Featured image: Tyler Dazey/Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office]