'Drug Dealer' Snitches on Man Living with Dead Body

There's a body in there. >> There's a Why don't you step out of the. car for me? >> A horrific discovery inside a Michigan. motel room sent shock waves through a. quiet town. >> They're not coming out. We're going to. be making entry. We do have something. under the bed covers. >> The body of a woman dead for days, found. covered with a blanket. And the man she. shared the room with, her accused. [music] killer, had been living with her. mutilated corpse. We're taking you. behind the scenes of this investigation. as detectives try to unpack [music] what.

happened inside that room. >> How did we end up at the roadway in the. worst mistake in my life? >> Welcome to Sidebar presented by Law and. Crime. I'm Jesse Weber. >> 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. A. traffic stop in Sagenol Township, Michigan went sideways back in 2024 when. a man said he had just been inside a.

hotel room and alleged that there was a. person lying dead on the bed. The man. behind the wheel, Eric, had apparently. called 911 to report what he saw. Claimed he was on his way to the police. station to talk to the officers about. it. But when you call in reports of a. body, the cops aren't just going to wait. around for you to show up and chat. No. Officers pulled Eric over as soon as. they spotted his car. Put your hands. where you I can see them. >> Okay. >> Are you Eric? >> 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 Apple. Trigger, whatever the place is called. now? >> So, what's going on? >> There's a body in there. >> There's a Why don't you step out of the. car for me? >> Yeah. Look, I I didn't want you to think. I was running. I didn't want to do I. didn't want. >> He's going to patch you down and make. sure you don't have I have in my pocket. That's all. >> He's just going to check it for weapons. Hold on. >> All right. No, I I have a pocket knife. in my pocket.

>> Yeah. Don't think I was doing anything. crazy and just I I just didn't want to. do it there. That's all. But I told I. told lady on the phone I was like I. wanted to come in and talk to you guys. >> Thought you were just visiting up there. from Traver City. >> Well, I am. >> Oh, you know him? >> Yeah, we talked to him not too long ago. >> So, who's in. >> this [snorts] guy? Country. That's all I. know him by. >> What's going on? >> 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? >> Uh from the from the motel. >> Okay. What are you doing at Ela Tree. still? >> You're good. >> Just just just hanging around. But I. look look. You don't see this. The thing. has been dead. It's been dead. Can I. have a cigarette? >> No, you can wait a minute. >> Okay. >> This 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. >> I got a question for you. You've been. doing anything. Did you go there for a.

reason? >> Look, we all know what goes on in this. hotel motel. >> We already know you're buying drugs, >> right? >> Right. All right. Here's the thing. I really. don't care if you're buying drugs there. That's what you were there for. Right. >> No, not necessarily. 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? >> No, I wasn't going to confront. He asked. me to. He invited me over. 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. >> Can you give me your ID out of your. wallet for me?

>> I'm not trying to get the guy in. trouble, but uh uh but uh. >> Well, this is this is a pretty serious. >> That's why I wanted to come to you. I. wanted to do my right thing. So, were. you there tonight doing drugs? >> No. >> No. >> Was she doing drugs? Was she alive when. you got there? >> No. No, dude. She rotting. She's. running. >> She been there. >> Oh, she been there, bro. Now, that's. interesting, right? Cuz while it seems. Eric wants to be forthcoming with. officers, he's also kind of hesitant. that what he has to say might get him or.

potentially others in trouble. So, he. claims he went into a room at the. roadway in, formerly known as the Apple. Tree Inn, where Daniel Varnes lived. Now, Eric knows him by the nickname. country. >> 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 in the. heat of the moment or or under pressure. had to find someone to to rip off. basically. So he apologized for it. >> 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 I was like. you know what the fuck? And um okay in. conversation eventually eventually he. goes to lift the blanket. I only seen. him for a split second but it was her. face and actually it was rotten.

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've spoken to people about that and. that's what's weird. >> You have any reason to believe that he. assault that country? >> He's a nice guy. No. No. No. And that's. the thing. That's the thing. But it's. fine. But I'm. >> Yeah. Yeah. No. And that's the thing. When he told me this, no. He's a nice. guy. Nicest guy in the world. That's why. he ripped me off. I said I said, "Man, I. really. But here's the thing.". >> If he ripped you off, that doesn't sound. like a good guy. Well, you know, he.

showed me all. >> Do you think he killed her? >> Well, no. Well, that's the thing. No. 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 going on. >> While Eric's talking to the officers, investigators are checking out the motel. room. >> Police.

country. Anybody in here? >> 256. >> Doors 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. Cover. >> There's something under the bed covers. Police coming in.

Shout said he saw us might poke their. head out. I haven't cleared the bathroom. yet. >> What's this? >> We haven't checked. We just came in. right now. [clears throat]. >> Gloves. I got it. >> Here in my backp's [clears throat].

clear. >> 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 his head out the. door and then closed it right up and I. was sworn it was this room cuz he tight. blood over. blood on wall. What?

>> Varn is nowhere to be seen, but the. police find the body of Teresa Johnson. There's reportedly blood on the walls. and ceiling as well as in the bathroom. And when they pulled the blanket off of. her, Teresa was naked from the waist. down. She was also covered in gruesome. injuries. And I'm going to read right. now from the Sageno Township Police. report. Quote, Johnson's face was. covered in blood, and it appeared her. upper lip was split in half. There was.

bruising or marks of an unknown nature. on her neck and the sides of her face. Johnson's ears appeared to have blood on. them and disfigured. The arms of Johnson. had marks all over them, and her fingers. appeared to be disfigured. Johnson was. extremely thin and appeared to me to. have not been taken care of herself very. well. Johnson looked to be much older. than her date of birth suggested. And I. will just tell you there is a lot of. conjecture from the other motel. residents about what might have happened. to her. >> What this home guy over there say?

>> He says he's a drug user. He comes here. for drugs. What happened here about 1020. >> to talk with country. >> Mhm. >> They're talking. >> in the apartment. >> In the apartment. >> Okay. >> I won't go into like details of what. they're talking. >> They're in there talking. Long story. short, he shows our collar the girl's. face. under the blankets. >> It was under the blankets. He moved the. blankets and showed him his face. Showed. him her face. >> He says, "Okay, all right." He said he.

left around 10:40. >> Mhm. >> He leaves. He comes back here to talk. with a guy that lives somewhere over. here. >> Mhm. >> About for advice about what to do about. this situation allegedly. >> That's when he calls. He says that this. girl is from Flynn. >> Mhm. that she went down there um. recently and then she came back up here. and that's why she's all bruised and. everything is because her brother's beat. her up. Okay. Um.

she apparently she's blind. I don't. know. Um he says that she overdosed. >> That's what country is saying, >> but who knows? So, back at the traffic. stop, Eric is getting antsy and. eventually reveals that Varnz might have. wanted him to be involved in some kind. of cover up. >> You think they forgot about me? >> No, >> they haven't forgot about us. >> I just checked to see if they contacted. me at all and they haven't. I If I had.

more answers for you, I would tell you. >> I've been straight with you. I was going. to say I've been straight with you this. whole time. >> No, it's cool. >> I mean, not be out in the wind. No, >> I thought. >> I mean. to be straight, I'm kind of curious. what's going on over there. You know, >> so but I was told to stand here with you. until my supervisor gets a hold of me. Who's to say country doesn't call and. say, "Well, you were the one that did. it.".

>> I'm just saying. >> But that's what that's what my friends. brought up. That's what my friends. brought up is that, you know, uh, for. one, when his body is discovered, there's the video camera that will show. me entering that room. And I said, who's. to say that, you know, the thing me is. if I I brought him a saw or I bought him. supplies or whatever, you know. Um, and. then and then there's that, you know, him saying I did something. Then there's uh just me knowing about. the body. Um, all sorts of stuff. And I.

was like I was like and and and and I've. seen it. I've seen it, you know, uh. where people are charged with accessory. after the fact and all that. I was like, you know, damn, you know, just just my. luck. I will go to prison for some that, you know, I really had nothing to do. with. I was going to mention this. earlier and again I don't want him to. get in trouble. >> You know, mention. just. >> country did. >> Yeah. He wanted you to help him.

>> It didn't not necessarily that far, >> but that's the impression I got because. then he started to say to do that he. would need a a car. >> and. >> and you have a car. >> I have a car. >> and uh you know um. >> um. >> Yeah. >> Did he say what he wanted to do with it? >> Okay. Not in a bad way, not in a. sadistic way, not in a bury I don't even.

think bury her type of way. Just just. get her out of there, you know. >> So, >> no. Um, >> that's why I said bring it up because I. don't I don't want to make you question. that. He was like trying to. >> cover it up. >> Yeah. Just just just get rid of it, you. know, in a way that, you know, again, it. has nothing, you know, it has nothing to do with me. I don't. want to be involved. >> Is that what you told him? >> Well, what?

>> Yeah. You don't want to be involved? >> No. No. No. Because it really he didn't. he didn't he didn't come at me in a. helping sort of way. >> Uh, basically. >> basically there was mostly him talking. and then and then it got to be I looked. at my flag. It was like 10:30 and I was. like, "You know what, bro? I'm sorry to. do this to you, but I actually have to. go pick up my girlfriend." And. >> and I kind of just dipped. It was no. Uh. >> so he kind of had like an excuse to get. out of there. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um. as far as him asking me to help him.

>> No, I don't I can't recall that he did. I think it was hinting towards it, but. nothing direct. Um. >> 220. Can we check that again? >> No. And uh again, >> maybe he was kind of hoping you'd offer. >> Maybe. Maybe. By this point, multiple. investigators have arrived at the. roadway in, including a K-9 officer and. a drone operator to help search the. wooded area next to the motel. And then. Varnes actually calls dispatchers on his.

cell phone, but refuses to turn himself. in. >> Be advised, Daniel is now calling for. Apple Tree. He's advising he is in the. woods near the ones. on me. >> Yes. Now he's claiming that he's going. and will not advise if he has any. weapons or not. I. >> think he said there's like some type of. like encampment back here or. [clears throat] something. >> Oh yeah, they came back. >> Yeah. >> And for reference, he's trying to claim. that his roommate Teresa Johnson was. beat by a drug dealer named Big that a.

gun was put to his head. That's all this happened at 3:00 this. afternoon. >> Unfortunately, the problem is this tree. cover is too dense to see really much of. anything, even with heat sensors. But. the officers, they do find a hat and. cell phone believed to belong to Varnz. as well as a key card then unlocked his. room. So the next morning, officers are. back out searching when they get a call. that Varnz was just seen at the. convenience store directly in front of.

the motel. So they swoop in and arrest. him. >> We're just taking off here in just a. second. You know, I told them I don't have no. problem with y'all. I ain't going to do. nothing to y'all. Y'all done nothing to. me. So, I ain't got no problem with. y'all. I'm sorry I put y'all through what I put. you through. But. >> that's all right, Dan. I was just trying. to wait for him to show up. >> Sure. >> I was going to hold. >> I don't know exactly what I did. [snorts].

That's what we're here today to try to. figure out what's going on. >> Detectives took Varn to the police. station and they put him in an interview. room. They read him his rights. He. agreed to speak with them. And over the. next few hours, the detectives slowly. pulled bits of truth out of him. So, according to Varnz, he had known Teressa. for years. They had been romantically. involved at one point, but that had. ended. This is again according to Varnz. Teresa's health had reportedly been. deteriorating. She was diagnosed with an. eye disorder that left her blind. So, Varnz kind of served as a caretaker. And.

he claimed that Teresa was fine by. herself in the motel room, that she. could get to the bathroom on her own, that he would help prep meals before he. left work. But it seems she rarely ever. left that room. In fact, some neighbors. told police that they didn't even. realize a woman was living there. And at. times during the interrogation, Varnes. got emotional. >> When you say her condition may have. deteriorated a little bit because you. weren't paying more attention, did. something happen with your relationship.

with her? No, no, not that part. She had fell a couple times, but nothing. nothing that would, you know, I've asked. her several times. Several times. And one of the real big reasons is. cuz I tried it, but it was just. too much.

Yeah, I'm on probation now. I was trying. I'm sorry y'all. I'm not trying. It's. all right. Ain't no kids ain't no it. ain't no scheme. Ain't no. I've seen the verse 48. I've seen it. I. love this. I watch it almost every. night. [snorts]. I'm not trying to. I'm really trying all back. Understand? No sir. I've never seen her physically.

see her fall. >> Okay. >> So, she has had, you know, bruises on. her arms and stuff. And like I said, I've asked her a bunch of times, can you. you want me to take I'll get you I'll. call not really call 911, but I'll get. you to the hospital cuz it was never. nothing life-threatening at the point, you know, that time. >> Okay. >> Cuz she had warrants. >> Okay. >> And I tried to get my. I was trying to get mine straightened.

out. >> You have You have warrants, Caroline? >> No, sir. >> Okay. >> I just went to court. >> What did you have warrants for? >> Failure to register. >> Okay. >> You go on probation. Which one? >> Probation. >> Probation. >> Now, you said you've been clean from. drugs since you got this job. Well, 2005, I hadn't touched nothing. I mean, besides smoking weed, I would not.

because I used to ble cocaine for. probably three more years twice. >> None of that. Uh, after my first. divorce, the idea. >> Yeah. >> 2000s, you know, 2000, 2001, it was. rough time. >> Okay. So, if you if you were to take a drug. test today, would you pass it? No. What would be in your system today? >> Cocaine. >> Okay. You just told me you didn't have.

cocaine, though. >> Should I have been I have been clean? Okay. I may have I may have missed the. deal like uh three weeks ago. Okay. What? >> Go ahead. >> What What uh. what started that again? So you said. you've been cleaned from cocaine for. since the early [clears throat] chip. What brought that back?

>> I got triggers. >> Varnes seemingly admitted to using crack. cocaine and to allegedly being high over. the last few days when it's believed. Teresa was killed. And despite the fact. that Varnz had allegedly indicated. before that Teresa might have overdosed, he seemingly tells the detectives that. she didn't use hard drugs and only smoke. marijuana. So, as the interview. continued, he told the detectives about. an incident that he claimed happened at. the motel a couple days earlier. >> What kind of problems you are you.

talking about that you're having with. people that. >> Okay, last week I went to. someone's room, got she didn't have no crack, but she. had powder. >> It was already bagged up, you know. So I gave her $50, took the bag, went back to my room, opened the bag, dropped the lines up, and went, "That kind of looks weird.".

I didn't smell nothing, but it just I'm. 47 years old. I take that I've stored it. enough that don't look right. I, you. know, done the taste test. I'm like, that tastes like freaking salt in it. So. I taste it again. I'm like, that ain't. that ain't salt. So I got a taste tester. to come in the room and he tasted. exactly what's powder and I lost it. >> Okay. >> So I bagged it back up to it back there. I said you could have killed me or.

you remember back or I have every week. I wasn't going to [sighs and gasps]. but it worked. She gave me my money. back. I gave her back. I left. >> Who is that? See, this is where it's going to start. getting difficult because. see, y'all get to go home. I got to go. back to width. Well, we're trying to. figure out the sequence of events that. led up to why we're here today. That's kind of where we're trying to to.

get to here is. >> you said you got you said you're having. some problems with some people, right? And last week you went and bought um. [snorts] you went and bought. [clears throat]. >> Yeah. >> $50 of the sauce, right? And ended up. not being what you bought. >> Well, that person told another person to. owe her $50. >> Okay. So, she said, "Hey, >> he come knocked on my door.".

You better have You better pay her. money. He didn't want to hear that it. was washing powder. He didn't want to. hear that it was I give it back. He. can't hear. >> Does that person live. the one that threatened you? Does that. person live with that person? >> No. >> He does not live on the premises though. >> Comes and goes. >> all the time. I was in a different vehicle. >> I'm just going to tell you right now. room and told me to go to bathroom and. he stuck the gun in my face told me or.

said anything or done anything and he. snatched football on my hand. >> What's wrong? I'll I bet you he'll stay. there. >> No. Which which room did this happen in? >> My room. >> Your room? >> Okay. >> When did he come in? >> Well, I don't. >> So, today Sunday. heard you Friday. Heard you Friday. >> Do you know what time. >> it was late?

Just one guy. I didn't see the other, but there was two. Yes. As far as I. know, I. [clears throat]. like I said, Bob was going towards the. bathroom. He was right behind me. So, we had to go inside. >> So, this happened Thursday or Friday. evening. >> Night. >> Okay. So, according to Varnz, it was.

this man, Big D, who beat up Teresa. while he stayed in the bathroom. >> Okay. So, I want to go back real quick. When. they were in your room, he go he's going. to the bathroom. He holds a gun to you, tells you you're going to pay 100 bucks. That's it. Then he leaves. Or how'd that. work? >> I don't know what happened after he. walked out the door, but he shut the. bathroom door. >> You were still in there? >> Yes. Someone tried to open the door. He. said, "You just wait a minute.". >> Okay.

And then he was gone. [clears throat]. How long wait? >> What? >> How long did you wait? >> It felt like an eternity. >> Till I heard the door shut. >> Could you hear what was going on? So, >> okay. What was going on?

>> What could you hear? If you could. describe it. >> I think they thought she seen them or. she said something or they seen the I'm. still at fault because I should have. just called 911 as soon as I come out. the door. >> before they came inside. Don't go back. to the left. >> Okay. What? Okay.

When you came out of the bathroom, what happened? Were they gone? When you. They shut the door. They were gone. >> Yes, sir. What happened to Sarasa? From what. I could look and from what I could. stomach.

And what it smelt like. is uh they beat her and tried to burn. her face off. I don't know if that was a. message to me. or they was scared. She's whatever. I. don't know. Oh, she kept. >> Was she alive at that point?

>> Okay. She gets tough and. >> just so I make the clear. >> She's the toughest. She was the tough. She's the toughest I've ever met in my. life. >> That person. threatened you at gunpoint. [clears throat]. Took liberties with Teresa, beat her and lit her face on fire and. didn't take your wallet. >> Her wallet was. >> Where was your wallet? >> Under the mattress. under the mattress.

Okay. [clears throat]. Okay. So, that's Friday night. She has went in my room before. She. would. [cough and clears throat]. She's alive though at this point, correct? When when they leave, she's. alive. >> Yes. >> Okay. What. I guess what to the extent of her. injuries do you believe that happened?

>> All I've seen was from her arms because. she had a shirt on. I all I seen was her. arms and her shirt was ripped. >> Okay. >> But I did not take all of her clothes. off and and inspect her now. >> Was she talking? Yes. >> What was she saying? >> I'm all right. Did she say what they did to her? >> She didn't really say what they did. No, I I just kept telling her I'm sorry that.

I this is my fault. >> And she kept telling me it's all right. It was all right. >> Was she in bed the whole time? Was she. able to get up after that? Was she Did. she just stay in bed the whole time? >> I think she went to the bathroom. >> Okay. What did she do? >> Pretty sure went to the bathroom. went. to the back. I don't I'm not 100% sure. she plugged. She plugged. I don't I. don't know exactly what she did when she. went in there. She did go to the.

bathroom. >> Did she shower? >> Nope. >> Did you shower? >> How would blood have gotten in the. shower then? >> Blood in the shower? No idea. Blood in the shower? So don't have no idea. They run one of not to take a shower. since Thursday morning.

13:30. I think it was. um. >> How long you said you were in the. bathroom while this was going on and he. told you to wait in there to wait in. there. >> I better stay in there. >> Better stay in there. About how long. were they out there? Would you. approximate? >> Wasn't no longer about 10, 15 minutes.

>> 10 15 minutes. Did you hear them? Yes. her screaming. >> She didn't really scream, but. I heard her make some noises. Yes. And I did a couple times tell them that. she had nothing to do with this. So, she had quite a bit of um.

trauma to her face there. Um, you said that they beat her. Do you have. any idea what they may have beat her. with? Was there anything in the room. that was still laying there, would have. been around when they left and that. they may have used. a weapon, anything, a blunt object. Well, she was able to talk. Did she tell.

you that they used anything? >> No, she ain't talked much about it at all. >> Another investigator interjects, getting. right to the heart of the matter. >> I'm going to let him answer his. questions, but I'm going to ask some. blunt questions real quick. Okay. If I. was to call right now and get you a. polygraph, would you take a polygraph. right now? >> Yes. >> And what would the result of that. polygraph say? >> I pass it. >> Saying what? >> I did not do that to her. Okay.

>> Wouldn't want nothing to happen to her. like that. >> I'm going to ask, like I said, I'm going. to ask you some blood questions. >> That's fine. >> Did you kill her? >> No, I did not. >> Okay. >> So, Vard has attempted to explain all. the blood in the room by saying it came. from nose bleeds, but as you can. imagine, investigators aren't buying it. >> I need you to tell me the the truth, Daniel. I need you to just be honest. with me. >> What happened to her? I to. understand.

if it went too far this time. Things. I don't think you're a bad guy. I think. maybe you put your hands on her and it. went a little too far and. now. she's died of her injuries. Is that possible? Do you know how she passed? >> I don't yet. No,

>> we're going to find out though. And. we're just looking for the truth. The. truth's in there, Daniel. And I know you. know what the truth is. And you're not. you're not being truthful to the full. extent. >> After a couple hours of questioning, the. detectives offer Varnz to take a lie. detector test. told me you're going to. pass f up, right? >> Sure. >> You willing to do one? >> Sure. >> Okay. Got one scheduled for tonight. You.

willing to go do it right now? >> I can. Yeah. >> You're willing to do it? >> Uh, no. >> Okay. When's the last time you did any. drugs? >> Last night. >> All right. I'll give him the thumbs up. then. Okay. >> The officers leave him alone for a. while, but when they come back, Varnes. has changed his mind. Listen to me. I. can pass the polygraph test even if I am. guilty. >> Okay. And that's fair. >> It's a wild waste of time. Do you want. 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'll talk to you again. >> Okay. Give me one second. >> Is there any possible way we get. something to eat? >> Give me one second. Okay. >> Okay. There's a hand sandwich. One of. the detectives sits with Varnz as he. goes over this complicated relationship. that he had with Teresa and the ways. that she sometimes kind of set him off. It's been going on for years. >> Okay.

There are certain things that she knows. or she knew she could say that would. trigger me regardless whether I was. drinking or 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 warned me to, you know, be mean to her or be, you know, aggressive towards her. It's almost.

like, you know, [clears throat] that's. what her daddy and brother did or. whatever. So that's what that's what. that's what she wanted me to do. I mean, she didn't really come out and say that. her brother used to make her do stuff. and she would just go in detail about it. and I tell her to stop, she wouldn't. >> And [clears throat] Varnz claims that. Teresa made this vulgar comment about. his young niece and he just lost it. And. when she said it,

>> I just went ballistic. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I used the channel out the needle. nose and I used 3/4 in ratchet. >> That's the ones in the toolbox. >> I didn't They was already out the tool. box. >> It was already out. >> I tried to fuck with a couple tires, you. know. earlier that week at where at the motel. Okay. >> Helping people in bike with bikes and. stuff and tires. So, they was already.

out of the tool box. I didn't go in the. tool box and get them out. They was. already out. And the reason I did put them back in. Yep. is just not thinking I I was going. to take the tools with me. >> Yeah. >> Cuz I was going to leave. Yes. Nope. I didn't clean none of it up. Ain't nobody bringing pressure on mine. It started off like a week ago. Maybe two weeks. I'm going say two.

weeks. Two weeks ago. [snorts]. Yeah, about two weeks. She made a comment about my niece. and I remember grabbing her, not not. really grabbing her, but I was laying on. the bed on this side and she was laying. on the bed on this side and she's facing. [clears throat] me on her side. I didn't. really I didn't grab her, but I just.

and I [snorts] pulled her to my face and. I said, "You mind about to see me, but. I'm going to let you know. Don't say. nothing else about my niece or my sister. at Right's mouth. Not in that dogy way. She said, "Okay.". >> Can you explain to me what happened? >> I begged her to stop. >> Understand? Sometimes it's hard to control. ourselves. It's hard to control our.

feelings when. >> I'm not going to sit here and blame it. on the dope, though. I'm not going to. see her do that. I'm. like. >> I drunk suck dead over the consequence. been the same if not more worse. >> Okay. >> But you got my word as a human being. If. I do anything that. was going to kill was she was going to. pass away. I would have I would have.

done something. I would have done. something. So that it it went too far. >> I did not want her to die. >> I believe. >> Okay. They got nothing to do with me. The consequences. That's got nothing to. do with it. I just didn't want to take. her life. >> I understand. >> I did not intentionally take it. Was not. like, "Oh, I'm going to kill you. tonight." That's not what you know, people say it all the time and you know, and argument, whatever, but you really. have to, you know, you really have it on. your conscience.

It's different. What else happened, Daniel? After you said you back fist her. a couple times or hit her with the back. of your hand. >> Well, what happened after that? I tried to shut Blitz with Vice Grips. for lights. No.

need. >> Okay. >> Then what happened? >> They just estimated. I think I about [clears throat]. to handle the. ratchet.

on top of her head. >> Still in the bed. >> What's that? >> Was she still in the bed at that time? >> Yeah, she never got up. >> She never got out of the bed. >> She never got. >> How many times do you think you hit her. in the head with the ratchet? >> Just by. it wasn't It wasn't No, I wasn't trying. to, you know, knock her skull off. I was. just say, "Hey, yay. Quit.". wasn't I.

but then she stuck her. she dropped one of her legs up or. something like that there caught her in. the knee with the back part of it. Yeah. Then what happened? I got up, man. So, I had to go to the bathroom to calm.

down probably. >> Okay. Had you hit her with your boot yet at. that point? >> No. >> What happened when you went to the. bathroom? >> Uh, hit me. hit me some uh some dope and I told her. I was going to lay down and she need. just roll over shut up and leave me. alone. and don't say nothing else to me.

>> She's still conscious at this point. >> Yeah, she never. Yeah, she never lost consciousness or. nothing. She. >> Okay. >> Trust me, she never lost conscious. >> And then what happened? She just. before I got to the bed, she said. something and my boots was right there. by the. where the TV stand is. right there in the corner and I.

shoe her and hit her in the face with. it. >> You remember which boot? The left one. Both of them one. >> Yeah. >> How many times do you think you hit her? >> Just with the boot. cuz I disturbed. about both of them. Not just did one at. a time. >> Oh, you did one and then the other. >> Yeah, I just told her [clears throat] to. shut up. Leave me alone. I didn't want. to talk. I didn't want to talk to her. more no more than that. >> Varn told the detective that at one.

point he took the metal pipe that he was. allegedly using to smoke drugs and. pressed it against Teresa's face, burning her. >> What happened from there? I beat that. over. How many times do you think you have. about half guess.

at least about 10. give or take a couple. just with your hand or with something. else. But I have to bother with your hand. Where did you hit her? Couple times in the midstation. What. happened after you hit her? If I'm not.

100% sure about anything I've said that, I know I am 100% sure. when I went to. the store. and it's on my phone. that night or the next day. Saturday night. >> and it was about 2:30 in the afternoon. and she was alive when I left. >> Yeah. I know for a fact.

she told me in the poundake and the. cream soda and that's what we got. Where. did you get that from? >> I believe Feedway. She didn't get to eat. it. Cuz by the time I done that and met. Big D, by the time I came back, she. told her I was back cuz she was. laying by her head was towards the.

headboard. >> Okay. >> Reason she was where she was at. I. couldn't remember. She I couldn't. remember she did have. I couldn't. remember that. I didn't pay I wasn't. paying attention to that part of it when. I was out there. Maybe even try to give. her CPR. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> How did she get her head on the other. side of the. >> I snatched her and turned her that way? >> When you came back, was How did you know. she wasn't breathing? >> I walked over. That's not what That's. not the blanket. She was covered up with.

blue blanket she's covered up with. It. was in the corner. >> Okay. >> The blue blanket was mine. Or she used. that. She would use hers and I would. take mine and if she say she cold or. something I'd get, you know, go down. have my blanket or whatever on her. Uh. but I. I kind of like when I went in I said I. got your stuff and she didn't respond. So I walked over pulled the blanket off.

of her and her eyes was open and her. mouth was opened. I'm like Teresa. So I felt four PS could. good folks. and it's like a nightmare sight. I kept screaming, "You better not die on. me." time. I spun her around on the on the bed and. I started doing compressions and started.

trying to give her CPR and. I've done it for just a few minutes and. that's what I that's where I. I build that's where I'm going to eat I. told her, "I'm sorry. Too late for that." [clears throat].

That's why I pulled my plank over her. I. kept I kept saying, "This is not real. This ain't this ain't she's faking." So, I went after I hit the P. I went back in. there and pulled the blanket off of just. her, you know, her just her face. Once again, I test her test her name to. see if she had a pulse. She was already really really really. really really cold.

I was like. stiff. >> And Varn has also admitted that while he. had a confrontation with Big D inside. his room before, it didn't happen that. night. And while it seems Varnes is. finally willing to talk about his. involvement in Teresa's injuries, he. doesn't want to admit that he might be. at fault for her death. What do you. think the cause. of her death was? Well, like I said, I watched the first.

48. Yeah. Y'all need to work on your. tactics. Yeah. They never heard the. sweeter the berries. I mean, the Yeah. You get more you get more bees with. honey. You can can. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. But u any blunt force trauma to the head. I don't believe that would have been it. because that would been almost. instantaneous.

So for it to have something to do with. nothing happened Saturday, nothing. happened, you know, between, you know, 8 or 9. Friday night. >> to Saturday, nothing happened. I don't know if you. know I'm not going to try to be a. guessing man, but if it, you know, if. her if one of her ribs maybe cracked or.

something, hit one of her lungs or. something, she could have maybe slowly. died that way. But her breathing didn't. sound, you know, no different. >> You know, she always slept with the. blanket pulled over her face. So I. should own her. So it's always like a. you can hear you know and that did. change. >> I really could not tell you.

>> Do you think it's possible the the. prolonged trauma to her body may have. >> So I'm not understanding. Um, you said that this had been going on. for about a week and the things that you. described that do you think it's. possible that the prolonged where. it hit her multiple times may have. contributed to her death?

>> No. >> Do you think you caused her death? >> I don't really 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? >> 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. >> Y'all are trying to get me to ask you. asking me. I don't know. I wish I knew. what happened to get. >> I feel guilty about the whole fucking. thing. a whole.

I know you don't want to relive it, but. I'm not trying to relive it. You want me. to say for that recorder right there. that my cause of her death is my fault. and my fault only. That's what you want. me to sit here and say to you and I. can't sit here and say that. the stuff that happened me or done is. wrong as. >> and I wish the 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 deliberately and. motherly fuck killed a 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. sorry I don't know what the cause of. death was. >> I'm not a doctor. >> After hours in the interrogation room, Farn is taken into custody.

>> All right, Daniel, stand up for me. All right, we're going. to get out of here. >> Go ahead and face that way for me. Okay, that way. for me. hand for me. >> According to Sageno County court. records, in March of 2026, he entered a. no contest plea to three charges: seconddegree murder, torture,

concealment of a body. A no contest plea. doesn't involve admitting guilt, per se. It's instead an acknowledgement that the. prosecution likely has enough evidence. against you to get a conviction at. trial, so you're not going to fight it. He was sentenced to spend [music]. decades in prison with his first shot at. parole in 32 years. And by that time, Varnz will be approaching 80 years old. All right, everybody. That's all we have. for you right now here on Sidebar. [music] Thank you so much for joining. us. Like and subscribe, and I'll see you. next time.