Man accused of torturing, killing 6 kittens, microwaving at least 1, and replacing each with a lookalike to avoid suspicion

Thomas William Martel (Cook County Sheriff

Thomas William Martel (Cook County Sheriff’s Office)

A 22-year-old man in Illinois was arrested this week after his girlfriend allegedly discovered that he had tortured, killed, and then replaced his kitten with a lookalike at least six times in the last three months.

Thomas William Martel — who allegedly microwaved at least one of the unlucky pets — turned himself in and was taken into custody on Monday and charged with two felony counts of animal torture and four felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, authorities confirmed to Law&Crime.

Investigators with the Chicago Police Department said that Martel is believed to have killed the kittens in multiple different ways, according to an arrest report obtained by the Chicago Tribune. The methods of killing included drowning, squeezing, and mutilation “with a sharp object,” the report states.