KEY WEST, Fla. – A 24-year-old stripper is accused of killing his partner thinking he was a cannibal.
The Florida man was being held without bond Tuesday after being charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of his significant other.
Authorities said Justin Calhoun of Tampa became convinced that the man was a cannibal. As a result of his apparent delusion, he stabbed the victim multiple times in the eyes with a pen, reported the Tampa Bay Times.
Jail records list Calhoun as a homeless female, but an arrest affidavit refers to Calhoun using male pronouns, FLkeysnews.com reported.
The alleged attack on Mark Brann, 67, occurred in Brann’s Key West home, the TB Times reported.
According to a police report, Brann picked up a gun, but Calhoun managed to take it away from him. Then Calhoun tried to fire the weapon but it jammed, the Times said.
That’s when Calhoun, who works as a stripper, reportedly grabbed a pen and started stabbing Brann, the Times reported.
Later, Calhoun shoved a piece of wood down Brann’s throat and hit him over the head with a dresser drawer, reported FLkeysnews.com.
Calhoun grabbed a backpack, cash and a dress, then fled the residence naked as police responded to the scene, but was apprehended a short time later, the website reported.
In addition to the charge of second-degree murder, Calhoun also faces drug and theft charges. He’s being held at the Monroe County Jail without bond.
(Photo: Monroe County Sheriff’s Office)