A US woman accused of killing her roommate tried to wash away potentially incriminating DNA by dousing herself in popular soft drink Mountain Dew, police allege.
According to court documents, a police officer was flagged down on July 1 because of a fire at a Daytona Beach property and inside the home found Michael Cerasoli, 79, with multiple stab wounds to his torso and injuries to his head.
Inside Cerasoli’s bedroom, detectives found a knife covered in blood near his body, the affidavit said, and a mobile phone belonging to a woman, Nichole Maks, aged 35.
Cerasoli’s landlord told police that Maks had lived with Cerasoli at the home.
The next morning, officers tracked down Maks in Daytona Beach suburb Holly Hill.
On making contact with her, police allege Maks dropped a knife and a hammer, and was found with blood on her leg.
Detectives said Maks changed her story multiple times as they interviewed her about Cerasoli’s death.
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At first she claimed to be homeless but, according to police, she eventually admitted she lived with Cerasoli.
She told officers she never went upstairs into Cerasoli’s bedroom except to “feed her spiders”.
When police told Maks they were going to take her DNA for testing, they said she requested a drink and officers gave her a Diet Mountain Dew.
Maks then poured the soda all over her body and hair “in attempt to interfere with the possible evidence on (her body),” the affidavit said.
According to the document, DNA testing showed Cerasoli’s DNA was on the blade of a knife found near his body, and Maks’ DNA was on the handle of the knife.
Maks is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and was denied bail.
