A California mom’s disappearance took a horrifying turn when cops found her butchered inside her ex-boyfriend’s home, after the suspect allegedly skipped town before finally surrendering to police.
Tatiana McIntyre, who also used the name Alison Riley, 29, vanished Tuesday after going to Jeffrey Vernon Michaels’ Fresno home to visit the two children they shared.
The panic began after McIntyre failed to pick up one of her children from school on Aug. 4.
Her ex-husband, who had been alerted that the child was still waiting, couldn’t reach her, sparking a frantic search.
Family members said McIntyre’s phone last pinged at Michaels’ home around 1 p.m. before going dead.
Relatives tracked the Zipcar rental she had been driving to an orchard near McKinley and Academy avenues, where they found it abandoned with her belongings still inside.
Police later seized the vehicle as evidence.
Investigators then executed a search warrant at the home near Grove and Phillip streets, where property records show Michaels lives.
Inside, detectives found McIntyre dead with several lacerations, authorities said.
Police said Michaels initially fled Fresno after the killing but later contacted investigators and turned himself in Thursday evening.
He is now locked up in the Fresno County Jail on a murder charge, with bail set at $1 million.
Police Chief Mindy Casto said investigators have not yet identified a motive.
McIntyre’s mother alleged Michaels had previously abused her daughter, claiming he once choked her and prevented her from leaving a home.
Family members also said he had a history of domestic violence.
The 29-year-old leaves behind seven children, including two she shared with Michaels.
Her family has since launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and care for the seven children left behind.
If you are the victim of domestic abuse, or you know someone who is, there is help available 24/7.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233.
