Sheriff's department, anybody here? Sheriff's department, I'm here with you, okay? You can hang up, okay? >> These deputies have just arrived at the Michigan home of 95-year-old Clara Meeks. Clara has just called 911 after being mysteriously attacked. Tragically, later this night, she will pass away. But in her final moments, Clara has left behind a clue on who her killer is. >> Yeah. >> Why are you here? >> Your your mother, that's why we're here. >> No. >> Okay. >> She's old. I can't believe you'd do that to her. >> Let's walk, John. >> Go. >> Son. >> Whoa, my pants are falling off. >> Because this is Clara's son, John Meeks. Four years ago, John lost his son, turning him delusional as he slowly lost his mind and turned his anger to everyone around him, going from morning father to monster. As John remains unaware that his mother's dying words have exposed everything. >> Well, I got some bad news for you. >> What's Your mom passed away last night. >> What? My mom's gone? >> In the early morning hours of July 28th, 2024, police in Michigan received a panic 911 call. At first, they could barely make out what was being said. On the other end of the line, an elderly woman, breathless and weak, cried that her son was trying to kill her. Police rushed to her home, and what they found was almost beyond comprehension. >> Sheriff's department, ANYBODY HERE? SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. YEAH. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, I'm here with you, okay? You can hang up, okay? Are you okay? >> He was He was choked. He was >> And where did he go, do you know? Outside? Do you see him outside? In that house over there? >> The woman you're looking at right now is 95-year-old Clara Miko. Yes, 95. And the man, if you can call him that, whom she's referencing is her son, 60-year-old John Miko Jr. John and his wife Valerie live in an attached home right next door to Clara, allowing them to serve as her caretaker. Evidently, however, John has done a terrible job. While they wait for paramedics to arrive, police try to get as many details from Clara as possible before they arrest him. Because the more charges they can get against him, the more certain they can be that Clara will be safely away from him. >> He twisted your leg? And the face? You in the face? What's that? I'm going to leave you there till EMS gets here and they're going to get you up, okay? I don't want to cause any more injuries if you got more, okay? All on your arms? And on your face? >> Did you fall off the couch or how did you get on the floor? From the couch behind you? Okay. >> [clears throat] >> I see your phone's right there. >> They're They're talking to her right now. He's outside. >> Okay. >> Is this your purse? Any idea what that is? >> I'm just going to take a couple pictures of you, okay? Just stay right where you're at. >> [snorts] >> Have you always had a >> No. No. >> Did he hit you in the face? Several times? In your ear? Have you always had a >> No. No. >> Did he hit you in the face? >> Several. >> Several times? In your ear? >> Clara seems stunned, but according to family members, John's behavior had been a ticking time bomb following a head injury on an ATV years prior. John allegedly became aggressive, cruel, and cold in the weeks leading up to the attack on Clara. She had called John's other siblings and his wife voicing her fears that he was going to kill her. In fact, the 95-year-old was sleeping with scissors underneath her pillow at one point because she was so afraid her son would come after her. Armed with all of this information, police raced next door to make an arrest, but John's not going to make that easy. As you're about to see, he's got a personality only a mother can love, and in this case, it seems that even that love has run out. And if you enjoy killers like this realize they're not winning an Oscar, subscribe and check out our Spotify where we upload podcasts every week. >> HEY. CAN YOU COME OUT HERE AND TALK TO US? WHY? WHAT HAPPENED NEXT DOOR? >> I DON'T KNOW. >> WHAT happened to your mom? >> My mom was sold. >> I think you saw that. >> [ __ ] [ __ ] Come on. >> So, what happened? >> What do you mean, what happened? >> What happened to her? >> I don't know you're talking >> You don't know what happened to your mom? What happened next door? Did you guys get into an argument? >> What the you're talking about. >> What happened to your mom? >> Well, she's alive. >> Huh? >> Unfortunately, she's alive. >> Unfortunately, she's alive? >> Yeah. >> So, what happened? So >> So. >> That's what happened? >> Yeah, I like the sub. >> Well, that's not very nice. >> I don't know you're talking >> You don't know what happened to your mom? >> Jenny. Come. Jenny. Jenny. >> But >> Jenny. Come. I like the sub. >> Well, that's not very nice. >> Who the [ __ ] is Jenny? >> Run 60 run from over here. >> Jenny. Jenny. >> Did you guys get into it? >> Jenny. I LIKE THE SUB. JENNY. >> WHAT'S SHE SAYING? >> COME. She got hurt. Hurt. He got hurt. >> Okay, so she >> It's a Jenny. >> Huh? >> I said we got to knock her out. Jenny. Come. To [ __ ] off and nothing happened. Jenny she never woke up. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> John, why don't you come over here? >> Police noted in their report that it was clear John was heavily intoxicated and alcohol could be smelled on his breath, which given his behavior isn't exactly surprising. What caused him to be combative is a mystery to this day. Back in the room, police and paramedics try to get answers from Clara, but she has none for them. Seemingly, the attack came out of nowhere. >> Yeah. Ready, ready, two, three. You got a pillow behind you, okay? >> Did you pass out when he >> Almost. >> Almost? >> Let's see where the bruises he's talking about. >> Is it always hard for you to talk for a whole sentence? A lot of being short of breath? >> No. >> No? Okay. Are you on oxygen at all? >> No. >> With the severity of her injuries becoming clear, police know they can put some serious charges against John, including at this point, attempted murder. And since John refuses to cooperate, police close in on him, crossing through the gate to make an arrest, whether he likes it or not. >> John, I want you to turn around. So, turn around. Turn around. John, you're under arrest. Turn around. John, you're under arrest. Before he goes in the house. You're under arrest. Listen, you're going to go down on the pavement. You better get your hands behind your back. Central 28, we have that male in custody, domestic. KNOCK IT OFF. WHY YOU HERE? YOUR MOTHER, THAT'S why we're here. >> No. [snorts] >> Yeah. >> No. >> Okay. Well, >> She's old. >> Yeah, you're right, she is. I can't believe you'd do that to her. >> [snorts] >> Can you guys transport or not? >> Sure. >> All right, sounds good, buddy. Have a good night in our jail. >> This is exactly what the D.A.R.E. program was missing because what's more embarrassing than your pants falling down during an arrest? Maybe it's telling a your mom joke during it. >> Your pants are going to fall down again. >> Yeah. You know why? >> Why? >> Cuz you're a >> Oh, that's not nice. All right, John, have a seat. Come on. What's going on? You're going to jail. >> What? >> For domestic [snorts] on your mom. Come on, hop inside. Come on, John. Nope, not kidding. Watch your step. Just go ahead and put your left foot in first. Yeah. Okay. We won't let you fall, man. Don't worry. Ow. What's up? >> [snorts] >> OW. OW. >> THERE YOU GO. I GET THAT KNEE IN THERE. THERE YOU GO. Watch your fingers. Watch your fingers, John. Watch your fingers. >> John is taken to the station and police let him sleep the night off to sober up. The next morning they have questions for him and some very unfortunate news. >> [snorts] >> Hey, John. Hey, how are you? >> I'm all right. >> How are you? Did they take care of you? >> Do you uh I just want to talk to you a little bit about last night. Do you uh Coffee, water, anything like that? >> You want a coffee or water or anything? >> a water would be nice. Yeah. >> Water? >> Yeah. >> All right. I'll get you that. >> [snorts] >> How you feeling today? >> Good. >> Better? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Sounds like you were pretty intoxicated last night. >> Yeah. >> [clears throat] >> Stupid. [snorts] Stupid. Stupid. That's how I feel. >> Four months sober, too. What happened? >> [snorts] >> Fell off the wagon? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> What did you drink? >> Red Stag. >> What did you drink? Beer? >> Red Stag. [clears throat] >> Red Oh. All right. Yeah. >> Um that was my first drink in four months. >> Oh, really? >> No ice. >> I wasn't there, but it sounds like you did it pretty hard, huh? >> [laughter] >> All right, so just real quick before we get started here, I just want to get some quick information from you. Is it J.O.H.N.? >> Correct. >> What's [snorts] your middle name? >> Bela, B.E.L.A. >> M.I.K.O.? >> M.I.K.O. >> How do you pronounce that? >> Miko. >> [snorts] >> What's your date of birth? >> 11/16/63. >> Do you have a cell phone number? >> Yeah. Here you go. >> Okay. So, [snorts] what I'm going to do is I'm going to give you an opportunity to to talk about what happened last night. You don't I mean you didn't really get that opportunity last night. >> No, okay. >> So, what I'm going to do since you're in jail, I got to read you your Miranda warning, okay? >> Mhm. >> So, you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him or her present with you while you're being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before any questioning if you wish. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements. Um [clears throat] so, do you understand >> Yeah. >> your rights? >> Mhm. >> And are you willing to talk to us now without an attorney? >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Okay. >> I want to see my daughter. >> Okay. Um my name's [snorts] Mike. I'm a detective here at the sheriff's department. >> Okay. >> This is Ben. >> Hey, Ben. >> I'm a sheriff here. Um so, obviously the police were at your house last night. I think you know you're in jail for domestic violence. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, what in your own words, why don't you just tell me what happened last night? >> I just got a little mouthy with my mom and yeah. >> What about? >> [snorts] >> Just stupid. I I I was so drunk I don't remember. That's to be honest with you. That's the truth. >> Do you know how much you drank last night? >> Over fifth >> of >> Red Stripe. >> Okay. Whiskey, right? Yeah. >> Perfect. >> What time did you start drinking? Do you remember? >> Um I got a glass of water. 2:00. Sometime in the evening. >> Okay. >> 2:00 3:00. Late afternoon. >> Okay. When did you know any idea of when you would finish drinking? >> I should have. I should have been finished drinking. Um I don't know. To be honest with you, I was late. >> Okay. >> I was going to get ready to go to bed. >> Okay. So, what I mean, what were you arguing with what with your mom? >> It's just >> Do you remember what started it? >> No, [clears throat] I don't. I don't. I was intoxicated. >> What's your relationship with your mom? >> Good. >> [clears throat] >> I mean, as far as like are you and her caregiver? >> Yes. >> Okay. Tell me about that. What does the history of that look like? >> [snorts] >> Um she moved in with us uh in 2009, May of 2009. >> [snorts] >> She was out in Nevada. Uh Las Vegas area. My dad had passed away at in 2000. So, she was out there 9 years by herself and talked her into coming to visit Michigan and uh she been living with us ever since. >> So, what do you take care of for her? Like, do you cook for her? Do meds for her? >> [snorts] >> All of the above. >> Okay. You take care of her finances? >> My wife does that. >> Okay. So, you kind of take both of you are like caregivers for her then? >> Oh, yeah. >> Does she drive? >> No. >> Okay. >> John hit the bottle even harder than he probably realizes. In the trash can, police located not one but two handles of alcohol. >> So, I mean, you said you haven't drank and I I obviously am on probation. But, [laughter and snorts] that's the first time in 4 months. >> What what made you decide to drink yesterday? >> know. Stupidity. >> Okay. >> I don't [clears throat] know. It's just an ass. It don't really don't. >> Okay. >> [snorts] >> So, what do you remember from last night? >> Not much. I remember sitting on the floor with my mom >> Okay. >> in her uh her side of the house. >> Okay. >> [snorts] >> And I said, "Mommy, you want to get back up on the couch?" "No, I'm good. I'm right. I'm good." And then I went back to the house. Um I didn't talk to her after that. That was it. >> Why was she on the floor? >> I don't know. I don't know. I was sitting on the floor with her. >> Okay. >> I don't know. >> But, before that is when you guys had your I mean, [snorts] you got mouthy with her, you said earlier. >> Yeah. She got mouthy, too. She She's a pistol when she wants to be. >> What was it about? Was it you drinking or you drinking or >> Yeah, probably drinking. >> Was there anybody else there with you? >> No. >> Just the two of you home? >> Yes. >> All night? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> [snorts] >> She's So, she's got her side of the house and we have our side. My wife is down in uh Monroe visiting her daughter. >> Okay. Do you remember getting angry? >> Vaguely. >> What do you remember about that? >> Don't recall it. I just I don't know. >> So, neither of us were there, right? >> Right. >> [clears throat] >> But if I were to tell you that she called central dispatch on a 911 line >> Uh-huh. >> saying that you were assaulting her and that you were going to kill her. >> Oh, no. God, no. >> You think So, she made that up? >> I don't know if she made it up. I would never kill my mom. >> All right. >> Never. >> [clears throat] >> Do you remember assaulting her at all? >> Yeah. >> What did that look like? >> I don't recall. >> You don't remember what it looked like? >> [clears throat] >> You said you remember assaulting her. I mean >> Pushing and stuff, I guess. And mouth mouthy. >> Where was she at when you >> She was sitting on the couch. >> So, you were pushing her when she was on the couch? >> Yeah. >> [sighs] >> Yeah. >> Did you remove her from the couch? >> I don't think so. >> She got up and out of the room. >> Got up. I Well, I left to go back to my side of the house. She was sitting on the couch and she was getting ready to go to the bathroom. That's I don't really recall much. I really don't. >> You remember her sitting on the couch and you remember her sitting on the floor, but you don't remember how she got from the couch to the floor? >> Nope. No, I don't. >> Do you remember putting your hands around her neck? >> No. I did? >> Well, that's That's what she told the officers multiple times when they got there that you had admitted Do you remember anything like that? >> No, I don't. >> Is it possible that happened? >> I don't know. I don't know. >> Would your mom lie about that? >> I don't think so. >> Okay. Any idea how she would have got a black eye? >> She got a black eye? >> Yeah. >> Are you kidding me? >> Well, she told the officers that you hit her in the [clears throat] face. Do you remember anything like that? >> No, I don't. >> Is that possible? >> I don't know. >> Would she lie about that? >> I don't think so. >> All right. >> Oh my god, what did I do? >> Do you remember grabbing her by the arm at all? [clears throat] >> No. >> Maybe to help her get up. Her arms were all bruised up, too. >> Really? >> Yeah. I mean, if you remember anything about this, now is the time. >> No, don't recall. I don't recall. I was blind drunk. >> Clara lived a full life, raising several children in New Jersey before she moved to Henderson, Nevada in her retirement. She had worked as a vice president of her local VFW and busied herself doing charity work and spending time with her family. Unfortunately for her, her family life began to crumble under the weight of addiction, touching not just one generation, but all of them, and police have devastating news about where that addiction has led them all. >> Would you consider yourself an alcoholic? Yes. >> Okay. How long has that been going on? >> Uh about 4 years. >> 4 years? So, that's not very long, really. >> No, I'm not not a big drinker. >> What caused that? >> Death of my son. >> Okay. >> What happened? >> Uh he overdosed on Okay, I found him. All right, and you're Delaware. We were at the his brother's house. >> And you you found him? >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry that that happened. >> [snorts] [sighs] >> Yeah, that's when I started drinking. >> Okay. Did you use any other substances yesterday? Do you use any kind of drugs or marijuana or anything? Okay. >> [snorts] >> All right. >> Nope. >> [sighs] >> I can't remember anything. I really don't. >> remember anything after you started drinking? >> I remember talking to my mom a little bit. It's It's all very fuzzy. I don't You say you remember assaulting your mom. What can you remember about that part that part of it? >> I don't remember. I just feel very upset with myself that I did this. >> John's wife actually validated with police that John hadn't been a drinker until after his son's overdose. The overdose happened to coincide with an incident where John hit his head after falling off of an ATV, and she believed he suffered some kind of brain damage. With all of that added together, he began to drink to the point of blacking out anytime he had a drink. >> When you're sober, do you guys have disagreements? Like, do you not get along about things or >> No. We We get along pretty good. >> Okay. Well, when you say she's a pistol, is she pretty spry? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> She can uh >> She can get right back to somebody? >> Oh, yeah. >> All right. >> I can't believe I hurt her. >> I I need to Lawyer up, it sounds like. >> I don't recall. Uh I have Ever Eason, and he'll retain him again. >> He's your attorney? >> Well, he helped me with this first >> Okay. >> thing that I'm on probation for. >> Okay. He was your attorney last time? >> Mhm. >> Okay. [clears throat] >> Reach out to him. >> Okay. >> Okay. I don't recall any of this stuff, guys. I'm so sorry. I I I just can't believe I hurt my mom. If you guys say I did, I I have to take your word for it. I don't know. Don't recall. >> Okay. It sucks. Well, I got some bad news for you. >> What's that? >> Okay. Your mom passed away at the hospital. >> [snorts] >> What? >> Yeah. >> Are you kidding me? >> No. >> No, we wouldn't kid about something like that. >> My mom's gone? >> She passed away. >> [snorts] >> Why? How? What? >> Well, for medical reasons, we're going to have an an autopsy done. >> [snorts] >> Oh my god. >> Not yet, but >> The ambulance you went to jail, the ambulance took her to the hospital when she died at the hospital. >> Heart attack? What? >> Well, that's what an autopsy will tell us. >> Oh my god, you got to be kidding me. Oh. [sighs and snorts] Oh my god. Um I'm in shock. >> Clara's cause of death in her official report was ruled, based on the case history and autopsy findings, it is Dr. Hotch's opinion that the victim, a 95-year-old female, died as a result of blunt force injuries and their sequelae. Hypertensive cardiovascular disease contributed to her death. >> [music] >> In other words, the injuries John inflicted caused her death, which means this isn't an attempted murder charge he's facing. It's a murder charge. >> Can I see my wife? >> I know someone has been in contact with your wife. I'm not sure whether she's still down state or if she's up here. >> I don't know. >> Okay. >> I can't believe my mom's gone. Does my wife know? >> Yes. >> [snorts] [snorts] >> Oh. >> [sighs] >> I know it's pretty heavy. >> This sucks. >> Yeah. All right. >> Well, I I'm I don't know what to say. >> [clears throat] [snorts] >> Well, eventually you can get a hold of uh your attorney and if you want to talk anymore. Yeah, I don't know I don't really have to do anything. That's just an ask us and then we can sit down with them if if he's okay with that, of course. >> Yeah, yeah. >> Well, let's see. We'll we'll get you a phone and we'll talk to corrections and see if they can get you a phone so you can at least get a hold of your wife and have a conversation with her. >> [snorts] [snorts] >> Any other questions for us before we go back? >> No. >> Okay. I'm okay. I'm just I'm I'm in [ __ ] shock. >> [snorts] >> You're going to be all right. >> No, I don't know. >> [sighs] >> I mean, do you want to talk to somebody? >> [snorts] >> Community mental health or anything like that? >> I need to talk to my wife. >> Okay. I'm sure they can get you hooked up with that and then If I know you got a ton going on, right? You're in jail. We just broke that news [clears throat] to you. You got to talk to your wife. Who knows what what's going to happen as things progress here. I would just ask [clears throat] you that if you're really struggling that you put a note out to corrections. If you need to talk to somebody from community mental health or you want to talk to somebody else, talk to the jail chaplain, whatever it is. If you're if you're struggling, you need to reach out to somebody, okay? All right. >> Okay. >> All right. I'll see if we can get you a phone, okay? >> I'm I'm shaking now. >> Yeah. >> That's a lot to take in, man. >> John was found guilty of the murder of his mother and was sentenced to 19 to 29 years behind bars. Our thoughts are with the family members of Clara Amico. Thank you for tuning in. Besides subscribing to help us make more videos exactly like this one, you can also listen to all of our crime podcasts over on Spotify. And before you go, check out one of the craziest cases I've ever covered right here or one of my newest uploads right here.