Inset: Micaiah Swindler appearing in court via Zoom (WSYX). Background: Authorities at the home where Swindler allegedly killed his dad (WSYX).
A 27-year-old man in Ohio is accused of fatally stabbing his dad this week, then calling 911 and telling the dispatcher, “I just killed my father.” Micaiah I. Swindler was taken into custody on Monday and charged with one count of murder in the brutal slaying of Joe Swindler, authorities announced.
According to a news release from the Marysville Police Department, officers responded to a call at about 12:34 p.m. on April 21, 2025, about a reported stabbing at a residence located in the 1400 block of Meadowlark Lane, which is about 33 miles northwest of Columbus.
Upon arriving at the scene, first responders said they located an adult male victim inside the home suffering from what appeared to be multiple stab wounds. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Another male, later identified as Swindler, was inside the home and was immediately taken into custody without incident. A security sweep showed no other victims or occupants in the home.
The victim has not been identified by authorities, but in audio from the 911 call placed by Swindler and obtained by Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ, he tells the dispatcher that he murdered his dad, Joe Swindler.
According to the report, Swindler almost immediately tells the dispatcher about the alleged murder.
“I’m not gonna lie, I just killed my father,” he allegedly says.
“Wait, what?” the dispatcher replies.
“I killed my dad,” Swindler reiterates.
“What do you mean you killed your dad?” the dispatcher questions.
“Like, he’s dead,” Swindler states.
Asked why he would kill his dad, Swindler allegedly replies, “God. God told me to.” When pressed to confirm the motive, Swindler allegedly said, “Yes ma’am. I had orders.”
The Idaho Statesman reported that when interviewed by detectives, Swindler added that he stabbed his father in both the head and the neck “to put him out of his misery.”
The report states that police had responded to the address earlier in the day due to a dispute between Swindler and his father. A police report for that incident indicated that the argument between the two men “started over dishes,” Columbus, Ohio, ABC affiliate WSYX reported.
A neighbor told Cincinnati, Ohio, NBC affiliate WLWT that Joe Swindler had lived in the home for about two decades, describing him as quiet but polite.
“He took care of his yard. He didn’t come over and visit or anything. We waved to him, he waved back, that’s about it,” the neighbor told the station.
Swindler is currently being held at the Tri-County Regional Jail on $1 million bond. He is currently scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on May 1, 2025.
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