When Micah DeBeary suspected that his long missing father, Robert, had died, he broke the window of his dad’s apartment to get inside, KOB 4 reports.
Micah told KOB 4 that the bedroom looked like a crime scene, with Robert’s phones lying in a pool of water and the wallet and furniture out of place.
He also noticed a big, “very dark and muddy” stain on his father’s bed, according to the news outlet.
Micah said his family last heard from Robert in mid-August. They started worrying when several days passed with no word from him, KOB 4 reported.
Micah told KOB 4 that his father was disabled, had suffered two strokes, and undergone brain surgery. He said Robert was paralyzed on the entire left side of his body.
In an earlier report, Albuquerque police said 33-year-old landlord Jonah Jeter allegedly killed Robert, 51, in August and buried him beneath the porch outside the apartment.
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KOB 4 reported that Jeter appeared in court and faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder. Detectives alleged that he shot Robert before burying him on the property.
Micah said Jeter seemed more concerned about the broken window than about Robert’s disappearance, according to KOB 4.
He also told the news outlet that the suspect tried to convince their family that Robert had been evicted and fallen months behind on rent.
Micah said they did not believe the eviction claim because of his father’s disability and the records they found in his bank account. He said the bank statements showed a monthly $200 rent payment, which Section 8 covered, KOB 4 stated.
How Police Found Robert’s Body
According to KOB 4, Robert’s mother, Toni, then posted a video on social media asking the public to help find her son. Micah said the post prompted someone to come forward with a tip.
He shared with KOB 4 that a caller told him they had seen the landlord digging in front of Robert’s house.
In October, police searched the apartment complex, where human-remains-detection dogs alerted officers. Police said they discovered Robert’s body buried there, along with the bed his son had found earlier, according to the news outlet.
What’s Next
According to KOB 4, Jeter remains in custody and faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Why It Matters
KOB 4 reported that Jeter was previously accused of killing someone. In 2010, authorities alleged that he stabbed and killed Oliver Yazzie in Grants. Jeter was 17 at the time. He pleaded no contest and received a 10-year sentence, with five years suspended.
Micah’s family said they should have learned about Jeter’s past before Robert’s death, not after, according to the same report. Their experience raises questions about what information prospective tenants can access about their landlords. When looking for a place to live, you can ask about the property, landlord, and individuals responsible for managing it to help you make an informed decision.
About This Story
Daily Reports is Brant.One's news roundup. Each day we gather the New Mexico stories worth knowing from newsrooms across the state, sum them up and point you to the source. This one comes from KOB 4's reporting, and their original story has the interviews and full details.
