An Indiana man stands accused of a grisly West Side slaying after prosecutors claim Internet search history linked him to queries about how to fatally dismember and burn a body. Deparris Slaughter, 32, of Munster, Indiana, was charged with first-degree murder, dismembering a human body, concealing a homicide, and residential arson in the death of 68-year-old Michael Lipford, according to information obtained by NBC Chicago.
Lipford, whose body was found partially dismembered in his home's basement located in the 2300 block of South Kirkland Avenue, had sustained a gunshot wound to his neck. On top of handling the daily needs as Lipford's caregiver, Slaughter is now alleged to have murdered his charge on March 7. The Cook County medical examiner's report indicated that the dismemberment and burning appeared to have occurred postmortem. This chilling episode came to light as early as a March 9 traffic stop, when police first detained Slaughter and reportedly discovered incriminating items, including a gun and a red gas can in his car. Prosecutors also pointed out that ballistic analysis connected the bullet found in Lipford to the gun seized from Slaughter's vehicle.
As the case unfolds, a digital footprint left by Slaughter adds a grim dimension to the narrative. A search of his phone uncovered searches such as "what happens if you kill someone," and "which knife is best to cut through a human arm." These findings were shared by the Chicago Sun-Times. Further disturbing queries included "what caliber of bullet causes more damage," and "how to remove changing fingerprints with superglue or sandpaper."
The layers of preparation and execution outlined in the charges pose a haunting backdrop to Slaughter's next court appearance, which is scheduled for December 24. Amidst the ongoing investigation, Slaughter's attorney has not yet made a public comment.
