A Florida woman who killed her roommate asked police for a soda and then poured it “all over herself” In an attempt to wash off the DNA.
Nichole A. Maks, 35, was charged with tampering with evidence and resisting arrest with violence, and premeditated first-degree murder in the death of 79-year-old Michael Cerasoli on Aug. 5.
According to officers, on July 1, a Daytona Beach police officer was flagged down by a citizen regarding a fire at a home in the 600 block of Clark Street.
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Firefighters arrived at the scene, extinguished the fire, and found 79-year-old Michael Cerasoli dead on the floor.
According to Fox News Digitial, he had blunt force trauma to the back of his head and multiple stab wounds to his torso.
Police found a bloody knife in the victim’s bedroom near his body.
Maks was named as a possible person of interest in the case, and a BOLO was issued.
According to investigators, around 3:30 a.m., police found Maks at Krystal’s restaurant on N Ridgewood Avenue in Holly Hill.
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The affidavit stated that she had no shoes on and blood on the side of her leg. A portion of her shirt had been torn or cut off and a portion had blood on it.
When officers approached her, the report stated that she dropped a knife and a hammer she was carrying.
Authorities said she changed her story multiple times when questioned.
Maks denied knowing the victim and said she was homeless. She also denied carrying a knife and hammer, the report stated.
She later told investigators that the victim was her roommate but denied seeing him on the day he was killed and in regard to the knife and hammer.
She told police that she often carries a knife and hammer.
When asked about the fire, police say Maks became “agitated,” refused to speak, and requested an attorney.
While escorting Maks to the patrol car, detectives informed her they would collect her DNA. Then, she asked the police for a drink, and they gave her a diet Mountain Dew soda.
Officers said she procrastinated while drinking the soda, and a detective tried to grab the soda can from her.
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That’s when police Maks doused herself with the soda, pouring it over her body and hair, trying to wash away possible evidence on her body.
The affidavit stated that she began “pulling and kicking officers” as they tried to secure her in the vehicle.
Maks entered a written plea of not guilty on all charges last week, and her attorney is seeking to find out of she has the mental competence to stand trial.
Maks is being held on a no-bond status in Volusia County.
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