I got your boss right here, you're right over here. Is there anything on you that you can poke me, cut me, stick me, nothing like that? Nothing that would hurt me? First thing you do is go straight back to my car, just right here. Just go and face my car for me. What you got in your pocket here? >> I don't know. I'm so out of it. I took the >> All right. I'm going to put what I took off of him on your hood. >> Go ahead and have a seat in my car, okay? All right. I'm just going to buckle you in. All right, not to like tie tight in the seat, but just so we drive. All right? It won't be too tight. What's your name, boss? >> Elijah McCollough. >> Friday, May 15th, 2026. The young man in handcuffs is 22-year-old Elijah Ray McCollough. Earlier that day, a family member found his grandfather, Alexander Metcalf Sr., dead inside the family's home in Green Township, Ohio. Within the hour, Elijah would be facing two detectives and one question that would follow him through the entire interview. >> Was he grabbing on you? >> Uh I just can't remember. I drank so much. >> But this happened today, you said, after you woke up. Those were your words. >> Yeah. >> So, the likelihood you were still drunk this morning and messed out of your mind to where you wouldn't know what you did. That's not That's not reasonable. >> Green Township sits on the western edge of Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio. On Friday, May 15th, officers were sent to a house in the 6200 block of Charlene Drive on a report of a deceased person. Inside was Alexander Metcalf Sr., 69, a father and grandfather who had been staying at the house with his grandson. According to the family, Elijah had found his own father dead just days earlier, and his grandfather had been staying with him every night. Now, his grandson was gone. While officers and a police dog searched the neighborhood, nearby schools were placed on lockdown. At 12:33 that afternoon, a Green Township body cam shows Elijah McCullough, already in handcuffs, being walked to a patrol car. A police dog had tracked him to the area of Work Road, less than a mile away. By 1:22, he was sitting in interview room one. Two detectives were about to ask him what happened inside that house. What he told them is on this tape. >> You want to take a seat there? I'm going to close the door, okay? >> You can grab me one. >> Yep, if you don't mind. Hey, Elijah. >> Hello, man. >> Hey, man. Oh, my name's Mike. This is Johnny. We both work for Green Township. I'm going to slide up here so I can write on this table, man. Oh, my goodness. Is that closed? There we go. Well, thanks for coming and talking to us today. Looks like there's a bunch of stuff that happened, and our job is just to gather the facts out of things and sort through everything. Um, let me do this. And you get What do your friends call you? >> Uh, Elijah. >> Okay. And how how do you spell that? >> E L I J H. >> And then your last name? >> M C C U L L U C H. >> And your home address? >> 6203 Charlene Drive. Cincinnati, Ohio 45248. >> How old are you, man? >> 22. >> Got you. And your date of birth? >> May 29th, 2003. >> You got a birthday coming up. >> Yeah. >> And do you have a cell phone? >> Uh, yeah. >> What's the number on that? >> 513-205-689 >> 5689? >> Yeah. >> Johnny, what time you got? >> It is 1:22. >> p.m. >> p.m. >> Good. So, since you're at our police department, whenever we talk to people, um we have to read them their rights. And you're welcome to read along with me if you like, but before we ask you any questions, you must understand your rights. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in court. You have the right to the presence of an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you prior to any questioning if you so desire. If you decide to answer questions now without an attorney, you will still have the right to um stop answering at any time. Do you understand that, okay? >> Yeah. >> If that's a truthful statement, I just need you to sign right there at the X. It just says we read that to you, you understand it, and you want to talk to us. Good deal. That's what most people give us. They say, "Where is the little squiggle line?" >> Okay, man. >> So, um where you're living on Charlene? >> Yeah. >> Whose place is that? >> Uh my mom's. >> Okay. And what's her name? >> Uh Jean McCollough. >> Jean? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Now, what I get confused, ladies, is it J E A N? >> It's J E A N. >> Okay. Cuz guys can be G E any um So, that's mom's place. Does anybody else live there? >> Um Uh just me and her right now. Okay. >> Anybody else staying there temporarily? >> Uh my grandpa. >> Okay. What's his name? >> Uh Alex McCaslin. >> Okay. And then it's my understanding maybe your dad passed away recently. >> Yeah. >> And what was his name? >> Donald McCollough. >> I'm sorry for your loss. Anytime you lose a parent is horrible. >> Yeah. >> But I understand he maybe was fighting some demons. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um So, are you working anywhere now? >> Uh not at the moment. >> Okay. Have you previously worked some places? >> Uh yeah. The Red Stadium, uh soccer stadium. >> That's good. Where's your mom work at? >> Uh nursing home. >> Do you know you know which one or what part of town? >> I do not. >> I got you. What shift does she work? >> Third. >> She works overnight? >> Yeah. >> Did she work last night? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh in the house, where's your bedroom at? >> Uh >> First top floor, basement, or someplace else? >> It's the one um right above the garage. >> I got you. So, that's kind of the main floor of the house? >> Uh yeah. >> Okay. And then where's your mom's bedroom? >> Um >> Probably same floor? >> Right above the dining room. >> I got you. And so, did you say if your mom worked last night or not? >> Yeah. >> Okay. What time does she usually leave the house? >> Um Sometimes 6:00, 6:30. >> In the evening? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And then once she left in the evening, who was all at the house? >> Uh >> Once she left >> It was uh I honestly can't remember. >> Were you there when she left for work? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh was grandpa there? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Was anybody else been around? >> Uh I honestly can't uh >> Okay. Um and so during the during the evening hours going into the night time uh did you talk with grandpa much? >> Um No. >> Okay. Did he have a bedroom or where was he hanging out at? >> Uh the couch. >> Okay. Upstairs or downstairs? >> Downstairs. >> Okay. And so um do you think anybody else would have been in the house during the evening? >> Um I honestly don't know. >> Okay. When was the last time you talked to your grandpa? >> Uh last night. >> Around what time? >> Uh 10:00. >> 10:00 at night? >> Yeah. >> And what was that conversation about? >> Uh he was just asking me if I wanted to talk about things and what not. >> And what did you say? >> Um no. >> Did you guys talk at all? >> Um yeah. >> Okay. How was the conversation? >> It was all right. >> And did you sleep last night? >> Um a little bit. >> About what time do you think you went to bed? >> Probably 1:00. >> What time do you think you woke up? >> Um 9:00. >> 9:00 in the morning? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Who was all there when you woke up? >> Uh Honestly, I don't I just remember you guys finding me. >> Okay. And so, um at some point you left your house. >> Yeah. >> Did you talk to anybody on the phone today? >> Uh I didn't. >> You did not? >> No. >> Text anybody, Facebook, Snap, or Twitter, or anything like that? >> No. >> Do you still have your phone with you? >> Uh I think when I I don't know. Like I dropped it. >> You dropped it somewhere? >> Yeah. >> Dropped it or threw it? >> I dropped it. >> Okay. What kind of phone did you have? >> I think it's a 16 Pro. >> iPhone? >> iPhone. >> Is it in a case? >> Uh yeah. >> Do you know what color the case is? >> Blue. >> Like baby blue or dark blue? >> Uh dark blue. >> Okay. What's the passcode to your phone in case we find it to make sure it's yours? >> The what? >> The How do you unlock the screen? >> Uh >> We will find phones all the time. We'd like to get them back to people they belong to. >> Yeah, I don't remember it. >> Okay. Did you talk to your mom this morning? >> Uh no. >> Did your mom come home? >> Uh no. >> She didn't come home from work? >> No. >> Okay. So, when you left the house today, she wasn't there? >> Yeah. >> Yes, she was or yes, she wasn't? >> Wasn't. >> Okay, I just want to make sure I got it right. I've not talked to your mom >> No, you're good. I don't >> It looks like things kind of spun out of control pretty quick at the house. And our job is just to get your side of it and sort through everything. Um and that's all we're trying to do. Just like when your dad passed away, you had officers to come out and they sorted through things. And that's all we're trying to do today is sort through things. So, your help goes a long way to help us get get to the truth. And that's all we're trying to do is figure out what happened. >> I'm not trying to like fool you guys or anything. I'm just tired as can >> I understand. >> drinking and stuff. stuff. >> Did you drink today since you woke up? >> Yeah. >> What were you drinking? >> Um wine. >> What kind of wine? >> Uh it was in the fridge. >> Okay. So, do you know why the cops picked you up then? >> Not really. >> Okay. Let me ask you this. It's my understanding that you uh uh maybe see some people for some mental health issues. Is that right? Who do you How long have you had those? >> Uh since senior year in high school. >> And about how long ago was that? >> Uh 2021 >> [clears throat] >> Okay. So, maybe about 4 or 5 years you've been dealing with this? >> Uh mental health issues? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Have you been keeping up with it? >> Uh not really. >> Have you been on any medication? >> Not right now. >> Are you supposed to be? >> Probably. >> Okay. When was the last time you used your medication? >> Um properly? Probably over a year. >> Okay. And I know that stuff affects people differently sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad and uh we're not here to judge whether you take your meds or not. Uh the good thing is your neighbors have cameras that face the street which catch your house, too. So, we kind of know who was there and who wasn't there uh at the house last night. Um and those record all the time. So, when your mom left does she have a car? >> Yeah. >> What kind of What color is your car? >> A purple Malibu. >> Okay. That's a funny color. You don't hear many purple Malibu's. And was she able to drive out to work last night? >> Um yeah. >> Does she check in on you every night at all? >> Um >> [clears throat] >> What do you mean by that? >> Oh, what Hey, how are you doing? How's Grandpa? How's things? >> Um Yeah. >> Did she check in last night? >> No. >> And do you have a girlfriend at all? >> I do not at the moment. >> Okay. Do you have any girls that come over just to visit? >> No. >> When was the last girlfriend you had? >> Um I don't know. I've dated a few, so I can't remember. It's been a few years since I've been in a relationship. >> I got you. Okay. I'm just trying to get a feel cuz our our officers are over by the at your house in the neighborhood right now and they're not seeing anybody else come or go from the house after your mom left. So, it looks like it was just you and Grandpa home at the time. Is that accurate? >> Uh yeah. >> Okay. And nobody else was there all night? >> Um Uh his brother was, actually. He came over to smoke weed with us. >> Okay. Your Grandpa smoke weed? >> Yeah. >> How old's Grandpa? >> I think he's 70. >> Okay. Who's his brother? >> Uh his name's Randy. >> About what time Randy leave? >> I would not because I was asleep. >> Okay. Did you talk to your grandpa this morning? >> Um I don't I don't really remember like what time it was cuz I wasn't really checking times. >> Yeah, but you talked to him today. >> Yeah. >> After you woke up? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And where were you guys at >> when that happened? Uh in the living room. >> And so how was that conversation? >> It was good. >> At some point it turned not good. Tell me about that. Elijah. >> Yeah. >> When when you were talking to your grandpa today, was anybody else at the house? >> Uh I honestly don't know. >> But nobody else was in the same room when you and grandpa were talking. >> Um >> Elijah. >> Yeah. >> So out of this, we know that nobody else was there today except for you and grandpa. You got scratches on your neck. So I know things took a turn today between you two guys. Can you tell me about that? >> Notice what the detectives have built so far. First, a timeline. His mother left for her overnight shift, and by Elijah's own account, he spoke with his grandfather that night and again after he woke up. Second, who else was there? The detective says neighbors' cameras show no one coming or going after his mother left. That is the detective's claim. The footage is not part of this record. Elijah then adds a name. His grandfather's brother who he says visited the night before. And third, the scratches on his neck. Every question now narrows toward one room and two people. >> What did grandpa do? Cuz there had to be something going on. And again, we're just here to gather facts is all we're trying to do. And we need to hear it from you. Cuz the science is going to tell us exactly what happened. Just like the scratches on your neck and your hands are a little tore up and your wrists are a little tore up. Um we can look at all that. But there had to have been something between you guys and I can guess, but I'd rather hear it from you. Did he say something mean to you? >> Um Kind of did have some time to think for a second. I'm sorry. >> No, we want we just want to make it sure it's right. Here's Let me Let me explain this to you. We can never go back in time and fix a mistake. Okay, mistakes happen all the time. All we can do is admit that we made a mistake so it's not more likely to happen again. You're clearly fighting some demons and you had a lot of loss in your life lately with your dad passing. And you got a lot on your plate. Our job is just to sort through this stuff with you to figure out what the heck happened. Cuz you already know why you're here. You're not a dumb guy. And you know what a mistake had been made, right? >> [snorts] >> And you can't undo that mistake, can you? >> No. >> No. And so we're just trying to get both sides of it. Because our job is to gather facts out of people and it looks like you were in a little bit of a struggle. Is that accurate? >> Yeah. >> And nobody else was there but you and grandpa, is that accurate? >> Yeah. >> I appreciate you being honest with me. What was said to make this blow up like this? Hey, you can't change it. What happened happened. All we can try to do is explain what happened and and the way to explain it is through honesty. Because the science, just like with your dad, is going to show exactly what happened. And everyone's going to see that you're under a lot of stress out of this. Did you mean for it to happen? >> No. >> What what set all this in motion? Did he try to push you to go get treatment? >> No. >> Go get mental health help? >> No. >> Was he stealing from you? Elijah out of all of this. You know that he's dead, right? Hey. It happened. We need to get your side of this. And that's all we're trying to do. Tell me what happened. Cuz you can't undo the past. You were the only two guys that were in the house. Have you had problems with him in the past? >> Him? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> What were those problems about? You guys just didn't get along? >> Yeah, he was verbally abusive. Uh >> Towards you? >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry to hear that. >> And well, then I don't know that. It was uh my mom. >> Well, it sounds like he wasn't a nice person. >> I mean there's not a lot of people that like him. Nobody could care to say anything nice about me. >> Well, Elijah, that's why we want you to use your words to put things in your words about what happened. Cuz we don't want other people to do that or scientists to do that. Our job is to hear from you exactly what happened. It's time to let the truth out. With your words. Tell me what happened. You woke up this morning. At some point your path crossed with your grandpa. And what happened? Out of this stuff we can't change the past. I can paint a picture and other people can paint a picture. But we don't know what was said between you and him. And what what put all this into place. You already said there was nobody else in the house. And the camera showed there was nobody else in the house. Don't make up the story. Just tell the truth. Did you need money from him? >> No. >> Did he need money from you? >> No. >> Did you owe him anything? Any dope or money or weed? >> No. >> Well, something had to go sideways. Was he mean to you? And this is the part that we need you to fill in. Because you're the only one that can tell us. What was going through your mind when you guys were being physical? >> I honestly can't remember. I took like three Zequel ultra. I I I was drinking. >> You know the the pills and the and the booze are a portion of this. However, this politeness, kind as you are with us and what you've been all day with the officers, like that's not you. You're polite and kind guy. And you're showing remorse that you wish Did you wish that this didn't happen? Yeah. Well, I appreciate that you wish it didn't happen. Why'd you take off out of the house? >> Yeah, I honestly don't know. Just stupidity, I guess. >> Were you allowed to leave the house? You know why I think you left? This is just me guessing. I can guess a thousand times. But what I think it is is you realized you made a mistake and you wanted to get away from that mistake. Cuz you were going well, nowhere in particular, were you? An officer said that you were kind of putting stuff out in the woods as you were walking around. Like a knife and a couple other things. Had to be a lot of emotions. Is that accurate? >> Yeah. >> So, we know that you regretted happening. That you were emotional. What set this off? Elijah, out of this your mom's going to ask us what the heck happened. What should we tell her? >> I honestly don't know why I did it. >> Well, I can appreciate that. >> To be honest, I honestly don't know why. >> Well, tell me what you did. You've already said you're remorseful, you had a lot of emotions, and you don't know why it happened. >> Can I have a cup of water or something? >> We'll get you one. >> It's all right. I just have to drink. >> Take your time. We'll get you here in a minute. Let's hammer this out and get you a cup. Cuz I think we're on the verge of a breakthrough with you. Tell me what happened. It's important. Do you know why it's important? We can't change the past. And you owe it to the rest of your family to still let everybody know what happened. You've already said the hard part out loud is that you're emotional, you're remorseful, that you didn't mean for it to happen. And I can tell you you've been in a struggle cuz you're all scratched up. Is that from your grandpa? >> Probably. >> Was he grabbing on you? >> I just can't remember. I drank so much. >> Dude, let me ask you this. We've all drank a lot in our lives, but there's never been a time where I'm remorseful, emotional, and regretful over something. And I may not remember exactly what words I used over and over the nighttime. But this happened today, you said, after you woke up. Those were your words. >> Yeah. >> So, likelihood you were still drunk this morning and messed out of your mind to where you wouldn't know what you did. That's not That's not reasonable. And out of this, you've got a lot going on in your life that people are going to look at and say, "Elijah had a ton going on in his life." How did we get to this point? That's the biggest thing. And how can we make sure this never happens again? That's why we need the truth from you. To just let us know what happened. And you know when a good time to tell that truth is? When do you think? >> Now. >> Absolutely. Tell me what happened now. If it's good, bad, or ugly, it doesn't matter. The truth is constant. The truth never changes. And that's all we're trying to do is get the truth from you. People are going to know you're remorseful and that you're emotional and you regret that this happened. And the alcohol and the other things you got going on in your life will be a factor of this. But none of that matters unless we get the truth about the whole picture. Because they won't know which part of this to believe or not believe. And just like you said, Elijah, now's the time to let it out. Tell me what happened. Tell us the truth. Where did the belt come from? >> That one, honestly, I don't remember. It didn't come from the house. >> And what did you do with it? Dude, we already know. Elijah, what did you do with the belt? >> I choked him. >> Okay, I appreciate that. How did you choke him? >> I pulled it. >> Pulled the belt? >> Yeah. >> Where'd you have the belt on his body? >> That one, I honestly can't remember. Like where at? >> Yeah. Around his throat? >> Yeah. >> Was he awake when this started? >> Yeah. >> What were you guys talking about? >> Uh >> Nothing really. >> How do you go from nothing to a belt like >> I don't know. >> This is the first time Elijah tells detectives what he says happened. He says he pulled a belt around his grandfather's throat. Court documents later describe the same thing, a belt used to choke his grandfather until he died. It also matches news reports that Alexander Meckiff was found with a ligature around his neck. But notice what is still missing. Elijah cannot say where the belt came from, what was said between them, or why. Those gaps will shape the rest of this interview. >> Were you Was it just a conversation or were you pissed off? Let me ask you this. The scratches on your neck, who were those from? >> Him. >> Do you have any other injuries on you from him? On your hand? >> Yeah. >> And what's that from? On your right hand? >> Him grabbing my hand. >> And what was he saying when he was grabbing your hand? >> Stop. Why? >> And what did you say? >> Nothing. >> At some point So you're you're pulling on the belt. At some point you stop. Why did you stop? The hardest part's over. Why did you stop pulling on the belt? What made you stop pulling on the belt? >> I don't I didn't Really, I don't know. I guess I didn't really think about what I was doing >> [clears throat] >> before it was too late. >> And so, what made you stop pulling on the belt? >> I felt like it was enough. >> What were you trying to teach him? >> Nothing. I wasn't trying to teach him anything. >> Did something piss you off? >> No. >> Did he take something from you? Did he throw something away? Let me ask you this question. Other than the belt did you punch him or do anything else to him? Hit him with anything? What did you hit him with? >> I punched him. >> Where at? >> The face. >> With what? >> With my hand. >> Did you have anything in it? >> No. >> How many times did you punch him? >> Uh, I just can't remember. >> Were you facing him like this or something else? >> Uh, it was a tussle. >> Did you have the belt around his neck at that time? >> Mhm. >> So, what were you tussling about? Did you hit him with anything on his head? >> Mhm. >> [clears throat] >> I know where we found him. Was that where he was at the whole time or did you move him at all? >> Uh, I honestly don't know where you found him. >> Where did the tussle start? >> In the dining room. >> And what was he doing? >> By the back door with the dogs. >> Were the dogs inside or outside when all this happened? >> Inside. >> How were they? >> I honestly don't know. >> Well, I appreciate you sharing me what you did. What do you think your mom's going to ask about all this? I already know the number one question she's going to ask me. What do you think it is? >> What? >> What your mom's going to ask me? >> I don't know. >> She's going to say, "Why did this happen?" >> [sighs] >> Answer that one and I'll tell you what the second one is. Elijah? >> Yeah. >> Can we answer your mom's question of why did this happen? >> I made a poor choice. >> I get the poor choice, but why did it even happen? From time of it, you and your grandpa were were you guys fighting? I mean like arguing? >> No. >> So, there's no argument. Nobody owed anybody money. Or dope. This happened today after you woke up, correct? >> Yeah. >> That's what you said. So, you may have been a little drunk from last night, but not too much. Did anybody tell you to do this? Elijah? >> Yeah. >> What kind of shape is your grandpa in? Like some guys are in good shape and other guys are a little >> I guess he's in He was in all right shape. >> Okay. How long did he fight with you? When you had the the uh belt around his neck? >> Not that long. >> Like give me a time. >> Seconds. >> Seconds? >> Yeah. >> Really? Okay. That's just quick. If he's struggling for seconds, how long did you hold the belt around his neck tight? >> It It It was seconds. >> A normal >> I'm not trying to get you to change your time. I'm just trying to make sure you got the most accurate memory. >> I don't think I did at the moment. >> Okay. >> I'm [ __ ] up. >> With what? Emotions? >> Um mostly Xanax. >> Okay. What kind of drugs? >> Um weed. >> Weed's like a cigarette anymore. >> Pills. >> You know, out of this if I ask you a question, you answer it, you think on it. You respond. Um there's little doubt in my mind what you're telling me is the truth. And that it's a sincere um reaction to my questions. You're very appropriate. You've been polite and kind all day. And those other things in your system may be contributing to this. How long after you you left your grandpa did you leave the house? When you let go of your grandpa, what did you do? >> Went back in the living room >> [clears throat] >> and left. >> And you left the house? >> Yeah. >> So you left pretty pretty much right away? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And why did you leave? >> Just to think about things. >> [clears throat] >> What condition did you think he was when you left? >> I honestly thought he was still living. >> Thought he was still alive? >> Yeah. >> And what made you think that? >> He was breathing when I left. He wasn't. >> Okay. >> I'm I'm just saying. >> Yeah, I wasn't there. No, you're good, man. I wasn't there. Where was the belt? >> Around him. >> Still around his throat? >> Yeah. >> I appreciate you sharing. What should I tell your mom for the question to answer question number one? >> What is that? >> Why did this happen? Or your sister. It's okay, you can tell us the truth. Let me ask you this since we're struggling with why did we start? Why did How did we stop? Why did you stop? So then you said he said a couple things to you. What made you stop? Did he stop fighting? >> I I don't know. I just felt like that was it. >> What does that mean? >> Um >> What does that mean, Elijah? Did you take anything that belonged to your grandpa? When you left the house? >> No. >> Whose knives did you have with you? >> Mine. >> What kind of Were they pocket knives or something else? >> One was a Kaiser uh fixed blade and the pocket knife was a Masada. That's Yeah, Masada. >> And did you hit your grandpa with any of those knives? >> No. >> He's got a bump on his head. Where it looks like he got hit by something. Beyond a fist. Like some type of object. >> No. >> Nothing that you recall? >> No. I did not. Mhm. No. >> Okay. >> No. >> I mean, he's old. He could have stumbled and fell into something. I don't know. Again, we're just trying to get the truth. And sadly, he's passed on. So, we can only get the truth from you. And we still haven't answered question number one. But, I'm going to tell you what question number two is. Your mom and your sister are going to ask, "Are you okay?" And what should I tell them to that? Physically, you're fine. Emotionally, I think you're hurting. >> Mhm. I'll be all right. >> You'll all be fine. But, at least we can tell your mom and your sister. How you are. But we haven't fully answered question one yet. Is why did this happen? Cuz they're going to go back to that. They're going to ask us why and we're going to say, "This is what he told us." Is your mom What's your mom going to say? So you're going to be pissed? >> Yeah. >> What about your sister? I heard she's a nice person. I haven't talked to her. >> She's a good person. >> Good. Let's do this. Let me go get you a drink of water. Want you to think about that question number one, the why question. >> All right. >> Okay, and we'll be right back. >> The detectives step out and Elijah is left alone with the question he has not answered. Here is where his account stands. He says there was no argument and no money owed. He says he punched his grandfather and that the struggle began in the dining room. He says his grandfather was still breathing when he left with the belt still around his throat. Detectives point to a bump on the head that his account does not explain. And on why, he says only that he does not know. >> And that's all I got. this room. >> Mhm. >> You guys want a glass of water? >> Thanks. >> Oh my goodness. Um did you think any more about question number one? >> Yeah. >> What did you come up with? Can you just tell the truth? It's okay, man. If you decide not to, that's fine, too. M C C U L L O C H? >> Yeah. >> Okay. That's a lot of repeat letters. Okay, man. One thing that we do um is we get your DNA. You ever had anybody get your DNA before? >> Yeah. >> They rub a Q-tip inside your mouth. We're going to do the same thing. >> All right. >> So, can you open your mouth? I'm just going to swab inside of your cheek, okay? All right. Thank you. Okay, man. We're going to wait for our evidence guy to come back, John, and he's going to take some pictures of your scratches and stuff. Um if if you want to tell us about number one. But, if not, that's cool, too. I don't want to push it. >> [clears throat] >> What are you thinking? Later. If you'd rather not say, I'm cool with it. >> pattern. >> So, from the sound of it, there was no real argument before any of this started? >> No. [clears throat] >> Okay. And do you know where you dropped your phone at? >> I did not. >> Could you have left it in the house? >> Could have. [clears throat] >> Did it have service on it? >> Yeah. >> Do you know who that was through? Verizon, T-Mobile? >> AT&T. >> AT&T. Okay. Do you ever remember your password? >> Uh I do not. >> Okay, let me see if I can help you with this. Let's solve this form I have in my Aha! Look at this. So, this is your phone. And that's 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Did you draw a pattern, or was it digits, or what was it? >> Uh >> [snorts] >> it was digits. >> So, if you had it and you're going to hold it, how do you type it in by finger or thumb? >> Uh my dumb ass changed it last night and got all messed up and [ __ ] and don't remember it. >> Well, how would you get back into it? >> Yeah, I didn't. >> No, I said how would you? >> Yeah, I did. >> Do you use facial rec or thumb print? >> It only has the the uh >> Just the numbers? >> Yeah. >> So, you would have been locked out. >> Probably. >> We've got a computer that can break that passcode, so it's not that big a deal. >> I know. >> But, we're just trying to keep it usable for you in case you needed it down the line. So. Okay, man. Well, hang tight. Um if you >> 5353 >> 553 >> Yeah. >> Okay. Is that what you changed it to or is that the old one? >> That's what it is. >> Okay. I appreciate it. Why were you fibbing to us? You didn't want us to look in there? >> No, it's not that. I'm not worried about you guys looking at the the [ __ ] I'm not. >> Okay. Is there something in there that's embarrassing? >> No. >> After this happened with Grandpa, did you tell anybody before you took off out the house? >> No. >> [clears throat] >> And the reason you left the house was for what reason? Do you know the cops would be coming? >> Yeah. >> And thought there might be trouble if you stuck around? >> Yeah. >> That's only common sense. Nobody wants to be there if the cops are coming. >> Where were you going? I was just going to hide somewhere. >> Hide out. >> I know it sounds stupid, but >> Dude, that's a lot of emotions. It's perfectly fine. It's a ton of emotions. You've been through a lot lately. And that's why people ask us the number one question. Why did this happen? >> Do you always carry those knives with you? >> Uh I usually keep one on me. >> Did you have a knife on you when you and grandpa got in a tussle? >> No. >> Was that what you were wearing when you and grandpa got in a tussle? >> Yeah. >> I don't know if you dressed a little bit warmer to bug out or not. >> No. >> Okay. Well, if you need Take your time, but the water's there for you to finish. Uh we're just waiting on a fellow to show back up here, and then we'll get you where you need to be. We got to do some paperwork and stuff, okay? If you think of anything else we need to know, let us know, or if you think of an answer to number one, why, let us know. Okay? Thanks, man. I appreciate it, Elijah. >> Elijah? >> Yep. >> We're going to go right back this way. You got water left, or are you good? >> I'm good. >> You're good. You can come this way. You're good. You can put your hands down. Of course you can go right to that gray door there. We're going to go through there. >> Elijah McCullough's statements in that room are not a verdict. They are what he told two detectives about an hour after his arrest, after telling them he had been drinking and had taken pills. Some of what he said lines up with what investigators described in court records. The belt, his flight from the house, and his explanation that he knew the police would be called, and was trying to hide. Other questions remain open, including the injury to his grandfather's head, and the one question detectives asked again and again, why? He never gave them an answer. Elijah Ray McCullough was charged with aggravated murder and murder. He was arraigned in Hamilton County on Saturday, May 16th, and held at the Hamilton County Justice Center on a bond reported at $2 million. As of October 2026, we could find no public report of a plea, a trial, or a verdict. The case should be considered pending, and Elijah McCullock is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. >> [music] >> Alexander Metcalfe Sr. was born in Cincinnati on April 8th, 1957. [music] His family remembers a hard-working man who often held two jobs to provide for the people he loved. [music] He loved music and dancing, old westerns, his animals, and he never turned down a slice of chocolate cake. His proudest [music] accomplishment was his family, his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. In his final days, his son says he was there because he loved Elijah, and because nobody else was. He was 69 years old. >> [music] >> Subscribe to Stay Alert Interrogation for more carefully researched interrogation documentaries and real criminal investigations.