By admin 
WARNING: This story contains graphic details. Discretion is advised.
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A horrifying discovery led to a man’s arrest after dismembered human remains were found inside a suitcase at a Phoenix apartment last week.
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Christopher Michael Ebanks, 32, was arrested in connection with the alleged crime.
Around 9 p.m. on May 7, Phoenix police officers received reports of a possible homicide at an apartment near 24th and Oak streets, south of Thomas Road. According to court documents, a man told police he had been contacted by his daughter, who told him that a man had killed her boyfriend. He was also told the body was inside the apartment.
Once officers arrived, they noticed a strong odor of bleach and cleaning chemicals coming from inside. Investigators reportedly found wet floors and numerous cleaning supplies scattered throughout the apartment. Blood, bleach bottles, wet blankets and “red substances” were also found, according to police.
Court paperwork revealed disturbing details of the victim’s condition once officers found him in a hallway closet. Authorities say he appeared to “be dismembered,” missing his head and hands. He was wrapped in carpeting and an air mattress, and tied up with an extension cord.
“This is brutal. This is awful. This is, you know, a word almost doesn’t, it’s not good enough to really describe this,” Phoenix police Sgt. Robert Scherer said.
The woman returned to the apartment to speak with officers. She said she and her boyfriend had been arguing over rent payment the day before the murder, and that he contacted his “associate” for help in obtaining money.
The associate, whom she knew as “Draco,” and her boyfriend got into multiple arguments. But the confrontation escalated when “Draco,” since identified as Ebanks, reportedly pulled out what appeared to be a hatchet. The woman saw Ebanks stab her boyfriend repeatedly, according to court paperwork. Ebanks then allegedly told her that they “needed to clean this up.”
“It’s one thing to murder someone. It’s another thing to go through dismemberment afterwards,” Scherer said.
Documents state that after the murder, Ebanks left the apartment carrying a suitcase and made her drive him to his apartment near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road.
“She’s in fear for her life,” Scherer said.
There, she reported that Ebanks pointed a knife at her and made her shower to “destroy evidence.” The two then left the apartment and went to a nearby gas station.
It’s unclear if the woman was allowed to leave on her own or escaped before she called her father.
“Our detectives are extremely confident that this individual is a victim and extremely confident that anything that they may have done throughout this whole scenario was in duress,” Scherer said.
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Investigators identified Ebanks as the suspect through phone records, surveillance video from the gas stations and his probation records.
The next day, Ebanks was taken into custody at the apartment complex. Court documents state officers searched his apartment and found a suitcase with human remains inside.
Ebanks refused to speak with investigators during an interview and was booked on one count of first-degree murder and one count of kidnapping. He made his initial court appearance on May 8, where a judge set his cash-only bond at $1 million.
“The allegations in this case are extremely brutal, your honor,” state prosecutor Ashely Stetson described. “Your honor, it appeared that the victim had been partially dismembered. The victim’s hands and head were found dismembered.”
Ebanks appeared to roll his eyes and shake his head while Stetson described some of the alleged crimes.
“Based on the allegations, your honor, obviously, these allegations are very serious, they’re very violent. The state has concerns for the safety of the community.”
Ebanks was released from prison exactly one month before the murder. He is a convicted felon with a violent criminal history and served time for armed robbery and aggravated assault.
“This is a big jump regardless of where you started from,” Scherer said.
Ebanks asked the judge to consider lowering the $1 million bond.
“Because I’m indigent, is there any way you could reduce that bond to make it $500,000, something that’s a possibility for me? A million dollars is just not doable,” he said.
“Well, at this point, sir, I’m comfortable with the bond. Once you meet with your attorney and there’s more evidence, your attorney can file a motion to modify the release conditions. But at this point, I think the bond is appropriate given what I know,” the judge explained.
The victim’s name has not yet been released.
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