It's 1:00 a.m. in Saginaw Township, Michigan, where police meet up with a 911 caller who reported finding a disturbing scene while visiting an acquaintance. >> Yeah. >> WHY WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP? >> BECAUSE WELL, cuz I Like I told the lady on the phone, I I didn't want to do it there. >> Is there anybody else in the car with you? >> No, no, it's just me. I just I just didn't want to do it there. That's all. I I just >> Are you staying at Roadway or Appletree or whatever the place is called now? So, what's going on? >> There's a [ __ ] dead body in there. >> There's a dead Why don't you step out of the car, caller? >> According to a police report, the witness initially told dispatch [music] he was invited into a nearby motel room hours earlier, where he discovered a man had been allegedly living with a corpse. Next, we join other officers as they check out the witness's story. >> Who's the Who's in the room next to you guys? >> Uh his name is Country twice. >> Country? His name is Country? >> Huh? >> Okay. Did he >> Is he in there? >> I don't know. >> Police. >> I'm paying attention. Got a call 43-22 Magnolia, diagnosed with a UTI, colors and identification by someone outside the room at 1:26. >> It might be just his truck. So, when I pulled the I pulled up >> Police. You see It's in the bed. Country? Anybody in here? 2:56. >> Copy. >> All right. Door's partially open. MMR said that they saw somebody poke their head out. They're not coming out. We're going to be making entry. We do have something under the bed covers. >> Copy. There's something under the bed covers and the door is locked. >> Mhm. >> Police coming in. >> So I have 210. >> Police. >> Yeah. >> She already said he saw somebody poke their head out. I haven't cleared the bathroom yet. >> What's this? >> We didn't have it checked. We just came in right now. >> You got it, boss. >> I got it, boss. >> Here, in my back. Oh. >> I got it. >> Bathroom's clear? >> Yep. Cop said I could try this. >> There was somebody, a male, walking when I >> No. >> It wasn't him? There was a dude walking like throwing his hands up in the air when >> Oh, there was a guy who just headed out the door and then closed it right up. And I could have sworn it was this room cuz >> Dude, close the door. >> I have blood over here. >> I got blood on the wall. >> What? >> Inside, police find the remains of a woman identified as 46-year-old Teresa Johnson, who was reportedly found with [music] horrifying injuries, including heavy bruising, a split upper lip, disfigured ears and fingers, and trauma to the face. Teresa was later described as a legally blind woman who shared the room with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. Next, officers continue assessing the scene and gathering information from witnesses. >> So, who's in 324? >> This guy, Country. That's all I know him by. >> What's going on? >> This is the guy who called me earlier. >> There's a dead body in the room. >> What do you I mean, that's What do you mean? >> There's a dead body. >> There's a dead body in the room. >> Who is it? >> I don't know. >> How do you know Country? >> I'm from the from the motel. >> Okay. What are you doing at the Apple Tree still? You're good. >> Just just just hanging around, but I look look look look, you'll see this the thing has been dead. It's been dead. Can I have a cigarette? >> No, you can wait a minute. >> Okay. >> This is this is serious. You're saying there's a dead body. >> But I'm but I was coming to you guys to do the right thing. I get I get that maybe it's >> I got a question for you. Have you been doing anything? Did you go there for a reason? Look, we all know what goes on in this hotel motel. >> Wait. I don't know. >> Right party. >> Daniel Varnes is the is the name for the the room's going to be. >> Okay. >> I'm going to go run this. You good? Run this name real quick see if we got any >> I'm going to grab my stickers cuz they're in the car. >> Find your stickers. >> There's blood over there. Blood on the wall. >> It doesn't take investigators long to identify their suspect as 46-year-old Daniel Varnes, aka Country, a motel guest believed to be involved in drug activity. >> Okay. >> He owes me money. He owes me money. >> He owes you money? >> Yes. >> So, you're going to confront somebody that owes you money? >> going to confront. He asked me to be invited He invited me over. He invited me over. And and I don't really want to bring this up. I'm not trying to get the guy in trouble. >> me your ID out of your wallet for me? >> I'm not trying to get the guy in trouble, but uh but uh >> Well, this is this is a pretty serious situation. >> That's what I was going to say. I wanted to come to you. I wanted to do the right thing. >> Do you know what the guy looks like that stays in this room? >> I mean, I've talked to him a couple times. >> Older male, older white gentleman? >> Yeah. >> Is his vehicle here by chance? >> He doesn't have a vehicle. In fact, before you guys showed up, he was standing out here for about 10 minutes with my wife talking. He found out he had gotten cancer. He looked like he was leaving. >> Yeah, I didn't know what to do. >> So, you're saying she's dead. How do you know she's dead? How do you know she wasn't just sleeping? >> to me. She's rotting, dog. She had her eyes rolled back. >> You were talking to the your neighbor before we got here? >> Uh yeah, like a little while before you guys got here. >> What's that? >> A little while before you >> Okay. >> And he said he was moving to Florida because he's dying of cancer. >> He's moving to Florida cuz he's dying of cancer. Okay. And he's been staying here for a while, right? >> Yeah, he's a cool dude. He's really cool. >> Okay. >> I'll give it from the start. Okay. He ripped me off. >> Okay. >> Okay, he ripped me off. He and I told him I was like, "Man, out of all people, I would never expect it out of you." I thought he was a good guy. A working man, you know. He he he's he's told me >> And skip to the where you get there. >> okay, okay. So, well, okay, I told him I told him you're on some fiend stuff. He's like, he's like, "Man, I'll explain later." I said I said, "No [ __ ] you're on some fiend stuff." He calls me. He says he says he says, "I want to talk to you. I'm going to prove to you that I'm not on some fiend stuff." Whatever that means. Invites me over. Um I'm in the room. I see the figure. >> What time you get to the room? >> Uh like I said, 10:20 this evening. >> All right. >> All right, okay. Um I see this figure on the bed. Immediately, I'm like, "That's weird." You know, it looks like a body. It's under a blanket. It's under a blue blanket. Um okay. Um he says that this evening someone was there with a gun demanding that, you know, country pay him. So, country and the heat of the moment or under pressure had to find someone to to rip off, basically. So, he apologized. And he tells me that, you know, he's been dealing with some stuff, blah blah blah blah blah. Uh he says, "Do you see that?" He's like, "Don't look under it. Don't look under the blanket." And uh >> Okay. >> I was like, you know, what the And um okay. In conversation, eventually eventually he goes to lift the blanket. I only see it for a split second, but it was her face. And then she was rotting. >> So, what did the room smell like? >> It didn't smell bad. It didn't smell bad. That's That's That's what's weird. And I was talking to people about that, and that's what's weird. >> Court records show the 911 caller ultimately admitted to attempting [music] to sell drugs to Daniel when he said the suspect took off without paying before later inviting him over to reconcile and allegedly reveal the dead body to him. >> And And when he he showed me all this, I was like, "Man, I don't even care about the money. Keep it." I was like, "Man, you got a whole lot of [ __ ] going on." >> Are you 100% sure? Is there any part of you that thinks >> he might have done it? >> No. No. So, actually So, at first at first I kind of thought I was going to let all this go because because I didn't completely believe him. I completely believed him 100%. And then I told someone, and and and like And they were the one No, I'm a very gullible person. I'm really not street smart at all. I was really bad. People come to me all the time. But anyway, um they are the ones that pointed out that, you know, that could be all [ __ ] And I was like, "Damn." And it was it was like a uh my head exploded. I was like, >> that country story could be [ __ ] >> It's Well, you know, I guess it could be. >> I mean, >> Moments later, the suspect himself shockingly dials 911 and admits to fleeing the scene, prompting officers to begin looking for him in a nearby wooded area. >> So, he's by two tracks. So, he probably didn't >> We're trying to talk him into walking out to you guys. >> So, there's a trail here. What? >> That's not where that That might be that trail. He's He's not He's not where that trail is going at. >> You want to back in there right away. >> Okay. >> to the end of it. >> What's that? >> I almost wonder if he took off this way. Went through the water. >> He said she said I think he said there's like some type of like a encampment back here or something. >> they can. >> Yeah. >> And for you to verify he kind of claimed that his roommate Christopher Dawson was beat by a drug dealer named Dixie. That a gun was put to his head. Said this all this happened at 3:00 this afternoon. >> Dispatcher said Daniel relayed the same story told by the witness of an alleged gunman entering his room hours earlier and beating the victim. But what one witness [music] says next leaves police scratching their heads. >> You know, he didn't mention moving up. Just getting ready. >> Country did. >> Yeah. >> He wants you to help him? >> It didn't not necessarily that far, but that's the impression I got. Cuz then he started saying to do that he would need a a car. And >> And you have a car? >> car. >> By utilizing surveillance footage, K9 units, tracking pings, and drones, police established Daniel's approximate [music] location and arrested him around 4:00 p.m. the following afternoon after they said he ditched his phone and evaded police for hours before he was spotted emerging from a woodline. Next, we join the suspect [music] in an interview room where the 46-year-old is asked to undergo a polygraph test minutes after he told investigators the same intruder story that detectives aren't exactly buying. >> Hopefully be soon, all right? >> I mean, I don't know if I'll pass it, but it did I did I really the point is it? >> If you know you're going to if you know you're passing >> I don't know. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm going to pass it. But I passed it before. >> Okay. All right. You guys >> Yeah, I can pass them. >> Okay. >> The best time going to best time I'm going to get the answers you all want though. >> Oh, well, we we'll have to see what happens with it. I That's why we don't run them here. I don't know how how do you know that, but we >> But I mean, going in is not wasting y'alls time. I know I can pass it. >> Okay. Oh, it's not a waste of our time. We're going to go through the protocol, so >> I've no I can't pass it. That's That's what I'm saying. It's a waste of time cuz that's not going to get the answers y'all want. >> Okay. >> The answers you want is what I'm going to tell you. >> What's that? I'm sorry. >> The answers I can tell you is what I can tell you, not what the polygraph will tell you. >> Okay. Well, it's just an It's just another another conversation, so >> what? >> What's that? >> Another conversation about what? >> About what's going on, except in a different setting where we're not qualified to to do here. >> Okay. I'm >> Does that make any sense? I'm not qualified to >> know you're I know you're more intelligent than that. Listen to me. I can pass the polygraph test even if I am guilty. >> Okay. And that's fair. >> Is there a Why the hell are we wasting our time? Do you want to get out of that confession or not? >> Okay. What do you have to say? Do you want to talk to me? Is that what you're saying? >> Yeah, I told you. Yeah. >> Okay. Give me one second. >> Is there any possible way we get something to eat? >> Give me one second, okay? >> Okay. We'll get a ham sandwich out. [ __ ] I got to sit in this horrible chair. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? It's not comfortable Not comfortable at all. Not comfortable at all. >> What's going on? >> It's been going on for years. >> Okay. >> There's certain things that she knows or she knows she could say that would trigger me, regardless of whether I was drinking or I was doing drugs or anything. And it's almost like I've even said something to her a thousand times or more about it. It's like almost like she wanted me to she wanted me to uh you know be mean to her or be you know aggressive towards her. I mentioned to my sister I didn't come out and say what triggered me and what made me snap. But I did tell my sister exactly what Teresa told me. And when she said it I just went ballistic. >> Okay. >> I used I used a channel lock and a needle nose and I used a 3/4 inch ratchet. >> The ones in the toolbox? >> Daniel tells the detective that Teresa allegedly made inappropriate comments about his family members that he says caused him to snap and use various tools to torture and mutilate the victim in the days leading up to her death. Next, the 46-year-old gets a chance to detail his side of the story. >> Yes, no, I didn't clean none of it up. Ain't nobody can clean the place clean up but mine. >> Okay. Do you want to start over and tell me what transpired that day? What led to that? >> I didn't really I didn't grab her but I just and I pulled her to my face and I said, "You might not like what you see but I'm going to let you know don't say nothing else about my niece or my sister. Ever open your mouth. Not in that derogatory way." She said, "Okay." >> When she said those things, how did that make you feel? >> Made me say that. I didn't want I didn't want her dead. I didn't want her dead. I didn't want her dead. I didn't want her dead. I didn't want her I didn't want her Can you explain to me what >> Can you explain to me what happened? >> I begged her to stop. >> When did the >> I'm not going to sit here and blame it on the dope, though. I'm not going to sit here and do that. I'm not >> No. >> I >> I dropped something dead ass over. I thought the consequence would have been the same as not but it would have been more worse. >> Okay. >> But you got my word as a human being. If I knew anything that was going to kill her, was she was going to pass away, I would have I would have done something. I would have done something. >> So, is that It It went too far. >> I did not want her to die. >> I believe >> That That got nothing to do with me. The consequence [clears throat] of that got nothing to do with it. I just didn't want to take her life. >> I understand. >> I did not It didn't catch me taking it. It was not like oh, I'm going to kill you tonight. That's not what You know, people say that all the time and you know, in an argument or whatever, but when you really have to, you know, you really have it on your conscience, it's different. >> Mhm. Can you take me through the Well, that and how she she got injured. You said it happened Thursday night because she said something that upset you. >> Yeah, and triggered you. When did you get triggered? Two? I mean again again a week it started. It didn't It did not transpire get really really bad till I think Wednesday night Wednesday night or Thursday night. >> Is that what she said what she said? >> Yes. I believe I might have backhanded her a couple times like this. Told her to shut up for saying a stupid [ __ ] like that. >> What happened after that? >> I tried to shut her up with a goddamn pair of ice grips or channel locks. Not channel locks though. Ice grips. No the needle nose. >> Okay. Then what happened? >> After she escalated me and I think I might have used a handle of the ratchet like on top of her head. >> Then what happened? >> I got up and me thought I had to go to the bathroom to calm down before I really hurt her. >> Okay. Had you hit her with your boot yet at that point? >> No. >> No. What happened when you went to the bathroom? >> Uh he hit me up. We hit me some more. some dope and came back in. I told her I was going to lay down and she need just to roll over over her shut up and leave me alone. And don't say nothing else to me. >> Was she still conscious at this point? >> Yeah, she never Yeah, she never lost consciousness or nothing. She >> Okay. >> Trust [clears throat] me, she never lost conscious. >> And then what happened? >> She just Before I got to the bed, she said something and my boots is right there by the where the TV stand is. I did it corner and I I must you had to hit her in the face with it. >> Daniel says he repeatedly struck the victim with his fists and various objects while refusing to seek medical attention due to fear of law enforcement involvement. But moments later, the suspect details even more disturbing acts. >> And she was kind of you could You could hear her kind of not really snoring but you could you know, breathing hard. And uh And I don't know what I And when we turn on the TV, sit on the bed and you know, laying back up against the back of the headboard, you know. >> [snorts] >> So I hit her in the back. And that was a matter of five I lost it somewhere about a I don't know what I wrapped up on the heel. And she said something to me and I was like, "Why are you saying that stupid [ __ ] for?" I was like, "You don't You don't want to do nothing or do nothing with me." And this and that. And I was like, "What do you want to do? And that's what she mentioned though or no, not doing it. And she said I'm going to find a cop and come over. And that's when I I hit the pipe. As soon as I got down and hit it, I just reached over and I stuck it to the side of her face. She just kept talking. And I just kept doing the same thing. >> Stick it on her face, the pipe? Is that so she could breathe it in? >> No, the from the heat of it, the heat metal on >> Okay. So the hot part of the pipe you kept putting on her lips. >> Or or >> to to burn her. Okay. What happened from there? >> I beat the [ __ ] out of her. >> Now, Daniel says he burned Teresa's face with a hot pipe multiple times. But despite his numerous admissions, Daniel maintains that he was not present when Teresa died. >> I'm not 100% sure about anything I said tonight. I know I am 100% sure when I went to the store. And it's on my phone. >> That night or the next day? >> Both. Teresa Sherry and Teresa? And it was about 2:30 in the afternoon. And she was alive when I left. Yeah. I know it's a long fact. She told me to go in the store and get Kingdom Crown of cream soda. And that's what I went and got. >> Where did you get that from? >> I believe Speedway. She didn't get to eat it. Cuz by the time I done that, and meth big D, I got my key back, she told her I was back, cuz she was laying by her head was toward the headboard. >> Okay. >> Maybe she was where she was at. I couldn't remember she I couldn't remember she had pants on. I couldn't remember that. I didn't pay I wasn't paying attention to that part of it when I was I tried to even try to give her CPR. I kind of like when I went in, I said I got your stuff, and she didn't respond, so I walked over and pulled the blanket off of her, and her eyes were open, and her mouth was open. I'm like, "Treasure." So, I hopped out her pool, couldn't couldn't feel a pulse. And it's like a nightmare, like I kept screaming, "You better not die on me." That's why I I felt That's why I was going over these uh I kept going. I told her I'm sorry. Too late, fat. That's why I pulled my blanket over her. >> [sighs] >> Hit me five. I kept I kept saying that this is not real. This ain't This ain't real. She's faking. So, I went I tried to hit the pipe, and went back in there, and pulled the blanket off of her just to, you know, her just her face part. And once you get I touched her touched her neck to see if she had a pulse. And she was already really really really really really cold. Also stiff. Okay. And I bought >> Daniel claims he had left the room for an estimated 20 minutes to purchase items from a convenience store and pick up more drugs. When he says he returned to find the victim deceased. But once again, detectives aren't fully convinced. >> I'm going to >> know if it is it is what you're saying. I can't I can't >> And I'm going to ask you one more blunt time, okay? Do you feel that your actions is what caused her death? >> I don't know that. My actions didn't help. >> What do you think killed her? Do you think your actions contributed to her death? >> It's possible, yeah. Very possible. >> Um I still The the one thing that's really confusing me is the the amount of blood that's in the apartment. Like her in the end of the in the motel room. >> I got what you're saying. >> Um when you had the maid service do your laundry I mean, was anything attempted to be cleaned up? >> It was. Negative. >> And I and I again I apologize if this is the answer, but what what triggered the laundry service? Do they do that there? >> I've been trying to get it for a week. >> Okay. >> No, they do not. No, it's just the housekeepers do it. >> Okay. Okay. You've never answered the question. >> I've never asked what question do or not being here might be causing me >> Yes, that is exactly what I said. Do you think you caused her death? >> I don't want to think that, no. >> Did you cause her death? >> I don't How am I supposed to answer that? I don't know that. >> Do you believe that your actions caused her death? >> I >> That's a simple yes or no question. >> Yes. >> And I'm not trying to get you to answer it. Just I'm I'm serious. >> all got it. I feel guilty about the whole thing. The whole Okay. Trying to get answers. I mean, I know you already said that our camera The stuff that happened to me or done is wrong as [ __ ] is. And I wish the [ __ ] it never happened. But I don't know why she died. Okay? I didn't help the situation, no. You're right, I didn't. But I did not believe deliberately and [ __ ] bluntly god damn killed the girl. I did not. No. I'm not going to answer that. No. Cause of her death, yes. Might have been my fault 100%. Yes, but I don't All right. I don't know what the cause of her death was. I'm not a doctor. >> A medical examiner later ruled Teresa's death a homicide due to multiple traumatic injuries. Daniel was charged with second-degree murder, torture, and concealing the death of an individual. Court records show he pleaded no contest to the charges and was sentenced to 32 years behind bars. Subscribe now for easier access to the latest from Law & Crime Body Cam.