Macabre tale of two Florida men killing another, with one of those suicidal killers then hanging himself
This week, Florida’s Hernando County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) shared the macabre news of two local men, who after a day of drinking, murdered an acquaintance they were upset with, with one of the two killers then committing suicide by hanging himself in a tree at the scene of the murder. The alleged suicide and murder occurred in Spring Hill, when on January 15 at approximately 6:59 p.m., deputies responded to a home on Elkin Avenue in Spring Hill to conduct a wellness check on one of their town’s residents, 55-year-old William Trudell.
That wellness check came about after a family member called 9-1-1 to report that Dakota Croft, 25, had possibly killed Trudell.
Upon their arrival, deputies met 33-year-old Dustin McMillan, who initially locked the front door and prevented deputies from entering the residence. Eventually though, McMillan relented and allowed deputies to enter, saying that Croft was not home.
Here comes the macabre part. Another deputy who had walked to the backyard of the home, found Croft hanging from a tree. He was dead.
Deputies then conducted a search of the surrounding area where they located Trudell’s body lying on the ground in a nearby wooded lot. Deputies noted drag marks from the side garage door of the suspect’s home to where Trudell’s body was located.
During questioning, McMillan told the deputies that he and Croft had purchased alcohol earlier in the day and had been drinking. McMillan said he and Croft devised a plan to attack Trudell. McMillan said Croft was upset with Trudell for being a “Cop Caller” and disrespecting women in the home.
McMillan went on to say that when Trudell entered the garage, they ambushed him and killed him. A family member entered the garage a short time later and saw Trudell’s body lying on the floor. That family member immediately left the residence.
McMillan said he and Croft proceeded to drag Trudell’s body to a nearby wooded area and then began to clean up the garage and dispose of any evidence. Further investigation revealed Croft was currently under the supervision of the Florida Department of Corrections and had recently cut off his ankle monitor, which was located in the backyard.
Detectives believe it was shortly after that both men attempted to clean-up the garage and Croft then hanged himself. The deputies didn’t share any motive for Croft’s alleged suicide.
Dustin McMillan was arrested and charged with one count of First-Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. He was transported to the Hernando County Detention Center where he is being held without bond.
Hernando County Crime Stoppers / Anonymous Tips:
- If you have information on this case, please contact Hernando County Crime Stoppers. You will remain anonymous!
- Hernando County Crime Stoppers can be reached by phone at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477) or **TIPS from a cell phone.
- You may also submit your tip via the internet at http://www.hernandocountycrimestoppers.com
- You will remain anonymous and also be eligible for a reward up to $5,000 cash.
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(Source: Hernando County Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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