On April 3, 2001, Messick was at Suazo’s apartment early in the morning. Suazo and Bethany argued, and Suazo left with Messick in her minivan around 6:00 a.m. Suazo never went to work and vanished.

Later that day, Messick visited his friend Bradley Jontz, washing his hands immediately upon arrival. He mentioned paying for sex with a woman named “Annie” using drug money. Suazo’s family reported her missing on April 6th.

Suazo’s abandoned minivan was found on April 9th, cleaned and missing some items. Tests on brown stains inside were not blood.

Police visited Messick’s home on April 10th, but he wasn’t there. When contacted by phone, he claimed to have dropped Suazo off near a casino. He was evasive and refused to meet with detectives.

Messick then visited Jontz, acting distraught, paranoid, and claiming to be in trouble. He searched Jontz’s apartment for a gun he claimed was hidden there.

Later that day, Messick’s mother, Hisayo Miller, was found murdered in their condo – beaten and stabbed. The condo showed signs of cleaning, with bleach and diluted blood present. Messick was arrested for her murder.

Traces of Suazo’s blood were found in Messick’s car. In 2003, Messick was convicted of first-degree murder for his mother’s death and second-degree murder for Suazo’s (although her body was never found). He received two life sentences without parole. Police believe he killed his mother to prevent her from reporting his drug use. The motive for Suazo’s murder remains unclear.