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Trump Selects Harmeet Dhillon for Key DOJ Role: A Strategic Move in Legal Leadership

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On Sunday, the Daily Wire released an exclusive article by Mary Margaret Olohan revealing that President Trump intends to elevate Harmeet Dhillon, the current head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, to the role of Associate Attorney General, one of the department’s most senior positions.

During her tenure leading the Civil Rights Division, Dhillon has initiated several significant legal actions. These include lawsuits against states that have refused to provide statewide voter registration lists, as well as cases related to Title IX violations, particularly focusing on the controversial issue of allowing male students to participate in female sports teams at schools.

Known for her assertive and proactive approach, Harmeet Dhillon is often described as a dynamic “go-getter.” Her reputation suggests she might be the ideal candidate to support President Trump’s ongoing efforts to address entrenched bureaucratic challenges.

The move marks a major move up the Justice Department ranks for Dhillon, who was sworn in as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division in April 2025.

Dhillon has brought some high-profile actions while heading up the Civil Rights division, including suing states for refusing to hand over statewide voter registration lists, as well as for Title IX violations, including most notably allowing boys to compete on girls’ sports teams in the schools.

The news comes amid reshuffling of top DOJ officials following the president’s decision to remove Bondi. Trump met Bondi before his Wednesday evening speech and told her that she was being replaced, The Daily Wire reported earlier this week.

Todd Blanche is serving as the acting attorney general, and could remain in that role for quite some time, a source familiar with the president’s thinking shared on Saturday, noting that the president has no plans to nominate anyone else right at this time.





Harmeet Dhillon has something of a reputation for being a “go-get ’em” type, which may be just what is needed right now to help with President Trump’s swamp-draining efforts.




Matthew McConaughey Applauds David Beckham’s Impact on Boosting Soccer’s Popularity

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Matthew McConaughey recently expressed his gratitude to David Beckham for his significant role in elevating soccer’s profile in the United States. The celebrated actor made his way to Inter Miami to witness the unveiling of their new $1 billion stadium last Saturday.

Known for his unwavering loyalty to his beloved Texan Longhorns and as a supporter of Austin FC, the 56-year-old McConaughey attended the MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC at the newly opened Nu Stadium.

McConaughey was so moved by Beckham’s contributions to Major League Soccer in the U.S. that he took to social media platform X to compose a heartfelt letter of appreciation. In it, he acknowledged the former footballer’s pivotal influence on the sport.

Beckham, who serves as the co-owner and president of Inter Miami, has overseen the club’s impressive valuation growth, projected to reach approximately $1.35 billion by 2026, largely due to the “Messi effect.”

In his open letter, aptly titled “Mr Beckham young man,” McConaughey wrote, “As Austin visits Miami today for a little shindig on your new pitch, I want to first shout out a sincere ‘thank you’ – you didn’t create soccer over here in the US, but you damn sure supercharged it.”

‘When you came to the Galaxy you gave MLS fresh legitimacy, you turned games into events, and you essentially changed MLS from a proving ground to a premier destination – THANK YOU.

Matthew McConaughey thanked David Beckham for 'supercharging soccer in the US' as he headed to Inter Miami for the $1billion stadium opening on Saturday (pictured last year)

Matthew McConaughey thanked David Beckham for ‘supercharging soccer in the US’ as he headed to Inter Miami for the $1billion stadium opening on Saturday (pictured last year)

Matthew was so impressed by what David, who is the co-owner and president of Inter Miami, has done for Major League Soccer in America, he took to X to pen an open letter

Matthew was so impressed by what David, who is the co-owner and president of Inter Miami, has done for Major League Soccer in America, he took to X to pen an open letter

‘Now, you’re out in Miami, on a similar mission just in a different position – I’ll top my hat to that. Now, I write you today, because my Austin FC club and a busload of verde and black fans are coming into your sea of pink and looking to upset your opening party, so I’m gonna need you and your buddy Leo to make some room for us this weekend. 

‘And with the world’s eyes upon us as this summer draws near, we here in the capital of Texas look forward to stopping by to continue cementing one more cornerstone of American soccer for the world to witness.’

David addressed the fans alongside co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas to celebrate the stadium’s opening.

The stadium itself features a permanent tribute to the star, with a section on the east side officially dedicated as the ‘Leo Messi Stand.’

‘We believed in Miami,’ David said. ‘And Miami believed in us.’

Lionel scored Inter Miami’s first-ever goal and the game eventually ended 2-2 after Austin’s Jayden Nelson restored the visitors’ advantage, before Luis Suarez restored parity in the game with nine minutes left.

It marked the first time that Inter Miami played a game in its namesake city, having previously spent more than six years calling Fort Lauderdale home.

The stadium itself is reported to have cost around $350 million, however the entire Miami Freedom Park campus will cost approximately $1 billion to construct.

Titling it 'Mr Beckham young man', he wrote: 'As Austin visits Miami today for a little shindig on your new pitch, I want to first shout out a sincere 'thank you'

Titling it ‘Mr Beckham young man’, he wrote: ‘As Austin visits Miami today for a little shindig on your new pitch, I want to first shout out a sincere ‘thank you’

He captioned the post: 'sent'

He captioned the post: ‘sent’ 

Lionel Messi added another milestone to his legendary career on Saturday night, scoring Inter Miami's first-ever goal at their brand-new Nu Stadium

Lionel Messi added another milestone to his legendary career on Saturday night, scoring Inter Miami’s first-ever goal at their brand-new Nu Stadium 

Victoria and their three youngest children Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 14, and Romeo and Cruz's girlfriends - Kim Turnbull and Jackie Apostel, all turned up to support David

Victoria and their three youngest children Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 14, and Romeo and Cruz’s girlfriends – Kim Turnbull and Jackie Apostel, all turned up to support David  

The complex will feature the 26,700-seater stadium, a 5,000 space parking lot, a 750-room hotel, a retail village, 58 acres of public parks and community football fields.

According to the club, the new stadium has been entirely privately funded and required no city money to complete construction. However, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis did allocate $8 million in public funding to complete a road around the stadium. 

Victoria and their three youngest children Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 14, and Romeo and Cruz’s girlfriends – Kim Turnbull and Jackie Apostel, all turned up to support David. 

Chilling Warning: Man’s Sinister Comment Precedes Tragic Incident with Ex-Fiancée

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Tomeka Kamwani (Lakiecha Brooks via NJ.com).

A tragic incident unfolded in New Jersey where a man allegedly defied a court order and fatally shot his ex-fiancee, a mother of four, before taking his own life.

Relatives have identified the victim as 41-year-old Tomeka Kamwani through a GoFundMe page. Early on March 28, the Woolwich Township Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at a residence on the 300 block of Broad Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered Kamwani had been shot to death, alongside the suspect, who had apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

According to NJ.com, the suspect broke into Kamwani’s home and shot her three times. Thankfully, two of her children were present but unharmed during this violent episode, as reported by the outlet.

In a previous incident, the suspect had been arrested in February after allegedly assaulting Kamwani by punching her in the face, but was later released on bond by a judge. Kamwani secured a restraining order — which he reportedly violated — shortly before his arrest for the assault, NJ.com noted. Despite these violations and his arrest, a judge reportedly dismissed a prosecutor’s request to detain him until his trial.

Prosecutors revealed that the suspect had assaulted Kamwani, refused to vacate her residence, and threatened to kill her if she contacted law enforcement.

“She claimed that the defendant laughed and said she needs to put more locks on the door and showed her a card that he used to break into the residence,” the prosecutor said, according to a recording of the bond hearing obtained by NJ.com.

In the end, the judge reportedly allowed the suspect to post bond with conditions that he not contact Kamwani.

From a GoFundMe account description that’s raising money for the victim’s children:

On Saturday, March 28, our community lost a beautiful soul, Tomeka P. Kamwani (Brooks), to domestic violence. A loving mother, daughter, sister, and friend, Tomeka’s life was taken far too soon, leaving behind the center of her world, her four children: Gavyn, Aiden, Bryson, and Ava. Tomeka was the kind of mother who poured everything into her children. They were her joy, her purpose, and the reason she showed up every single day with strength and love. Anyone who knew her knew how deeply she adored them.

Kamwani’s family held a vigil in her honor last week.

“It’s a shame he had to do that. That’s about all I can think about: Why would he want to do that? People break up,” her aunt Barbera Brooks Faltz told local NBC affiliate WCAU. “We thought he was a good person and when this happened, I couldn’t believe it and I still don’t want to believe it.”

Inside Coleen Rooney’s Lavish 40th Birthday Bash: A £10m Disney Spectacle

Disney+ subscribers are in for an exclusive glimpse into Coleen Rooney’s opulent life as her extravagant 40th birthday celebration becomes part of her £10 million contract with the popular streaming service.

The famed WAG ensured her landmark birthday was unforgettable, hosting a glamorous soirée at the £20 million Cheshire mansion she shares with husband Wayne Rooney. The event made a grand entrance with guests arriving in style—via helicopter.

The Disney+ series is anticipated to offer a closer look at Coleen’s life, featuring not only her but also Wayne and their four children: Kai, 16, Klay, 13, Kit, nine, and Cass, seven.

An insider revealed to The Sun, “Parts of Coleen’s party were filmed for her Disney series. Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely, and snippets of the event surfaced on social media.”

However, the source added, “For fans eager to experience the full party, tuning into the Disney show upon its release will be a must.”

Coleen previously had a 2023 docu-series The Real Wagatha Story with the streaming giant Disney+.

Disney+ viewers will be in for a treat as Coleen Rooney's lavish 40th birthday bash was captured as part of her £10million deal with the streaming giant

Disney+ viewers will be in for a treat as Coleen Rooney’s lavish 40th birthday bash was captured as part of her £10million deal with the streaming giant

Coleen previously had a 2023 docu-series The Real Wagatha Story (pictured) with the streaming giant Disney+

Coleen previously had a 2023 docu-series The Real Wagatha Story (pictured) with the streaming giant Disney+

 Daily Mail have contacted Coleen’s representatives for comment. 

During her boozy party, Coleen let her hair down as she danced the night away with her husband Wayne and son Kai.

The TV star had an A-list guest list which included Wayne’s ex-Manchester United pals Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, reality TV’s Leanne Brown, ex-footballer Phil Bardsley and his Real Housewives of Cheshire missus Tanya.

Elsewhere Irish singer-songwriter Dermot Kennedy delighted guests with an acoustic performance.

Coleen threw the huge bash for her closest friends and family as she had an enormous white marquee put up in the 50-acre grounds of her home.

TV personality Leanne Brown, who first rose to fame as one of the original cast members of Real Housewives of Cheshire back in 2015, shared a behind-the-scenes look at what went down at the party as she posed in a photo booth with WAGs Tanya and Hayley.

The incredibly lavish celebrations are reportedly set to include hundreds of bottles of champagne on ice as well as a strict phone ban.

Speaking to The Mirror, a friend of Coleen’s reportedly said she loves to party and was sure to be up dancing during the celebrations.

‘Coleen parties like a good northern lass,’ they said. ‘She’s a very normal girl at the end of the day – she just likes a good time and having fun. It will be epic.’

Elsewhere on Friday, Wayne and lookalike son Kai headed to the barbers in Cheshire ahead of the party.

Wayne cut a casual figure as the barber got to work while Kai was seen arriving with takeaway food for the pair.

The teen was dressed in a grey tracksuit which he teamed with chunky trainers and a £400 Louis Vuitton beanie.

The WAG made sure her milestone birthday celebrations were one to remember on Friday as guests arrived via helicopter to the swanky bash at her and Wayne's £20million mansion

The WAG made sure her milestone birthday celebrations were one to remember on Friday as guests arrived via helicopter to the swanky bash at her and Wayne’s £20million mansion

It is expected the Disney+ series will follow the I'm A Celebrity star as well as Wayne and their four sons Kai, 16, Klay 13, Kit, nine, and Cass, seven

It is expected the Disney+ series will follow the I’m A Celebrity star as well as Wayne and their four sons Kai, 16, Klay 13, Kit, nine, and Cass, seven

While Coleen organised a surprise party for Wayne’s 40th in October last year, he did not return the favour and steered clear from planning the party over fears of disappointing her.

She said at the time: ‘He always uses the excuse of “It wouldn’t be good enough for you”. He’s not really a planner, so he’ll say “There’s no point in me doing it because you’d want to do it yourself”.’

A source told The Mirror: ‘[Coleen] wants to have a good time without anyone filming anything like Wayne falling on the dance floor or being drunk, It’s going to be very high protection when it comes to this.

‘It’s a private party. There’s no one that can party like Coleen.’

The Daily Mail contacted Coleen and David Beckham’s reps for comment.

Caterers and staff kept the party running smoothly, with insiders saying no expense was spared for Coleen.

An insider told The Sun: ‘Coleen loves a good knees-up. She can afford a lovely lifestyle and everything at the party will be classy and beautifully done. But for her, plenty of booze, good music and her family is all she will want.

‘There’s going to be live music and you can guarantee Wayne will be getting up on the microphone. He loves to sing and will be keen to give everyone a tune or two.’

Texas Authorities Investigate Potential Munchausen by Proxy Case Involving Toddler

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In a disturbing case that has come to light in Texas, a mother is accused of subjecting her 3-year-old son to unnecessary medical procedures, including surgery and the use of a wheelchair and feeding tube, in what authorities suspect is a case of Munchausen by Proxy.

Kaitlyn Rose Laura, 30, faces charges of aggravated assault and causing serious bodily harm to a child following months of alleged abuse. This was reported by CBS News.

Sheriff Bill Waybourn expressed his concerns to KFDM-TV News, stating, “This is a case of a narcissistic individual exploiting their child to gain sympathy by portraying them as fragile, resulting in the child enduring severe suffering.”

“The child now bears scars from unwarranted surgeries, and he will eventually need to understand the reason behind them. This could lead to long-lasting emotional trauma,” Waybourn added.

Despite Laura’s claims that her son had cerebral palsy and was unable to walk or eat solid foods, medical professionals and a teacher observed that these invasive treatments were unwarranted, according to a warrant issued by the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.

The allegedly deranged mom even started three phony gofundme.com furndraising pages for her son.

Laura’s behavior appears to mirror Munchausen by Proxy, which involves parents subjecting their children to intrusive but unnecessary medical treatments to gain sympathy and attention.

Laura allegedly claimed complications during the boy’s birth in August 2022, including a lack of oxygen, caused his disabilities, although the assertions were not supported by medical records.

She claimed he suffered from cerebral palsy, could not eat solid food and was continuing to deteriorate, authorities said.

After Laura harassed doctors and staffers at several Texas hospitals, the boy finally had a feeding tube implanted in May.

The first report of Laura’s alleged medical abuse was made to Child Protective Services in June, but in December, another feeding tube was still implanted.

At some point, medical staffers and the tot’s teacher reported that the boy was able to eat solid food and was able to get around without a wheelchair or a “gait trainer” walking device, KFDM reported.

Laura took the boy out of school and continued to seek medical intervention — until authorities finally took the toddler from his mom on Valentine’s Day, which led to further investigation and her arrest last month.

Authorities are still investigating Laura’s fundraising efforts and said a separate probe is investigating possible related Medicaid fraud, CBS News said.

Savannah Guthrie Opens Up About ‘Profound Disappointment with God’ During Easter Reflections

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Savannah Guthrie fought back tears while discussing her profound sense of disappointment with God during her first Easter without her cherished mother, Nancy, by her side.

The Today Show anchor, who has recently returned to New York City after spending over two months coping with the mysterious absence of her 84-year-old mother, shared a heartfelt message on Sunday morning.

Speaking at holiday mass at her church, Good Shepherd New York, Savannah opened up about the significance of this day for her, as Nancy remains missing since vanishing from her Tucson, Arizona home on February 1.

While reflecting on Easter’s essence, which often involves family gatherings and the joys of Spring, Savannah admitted that navigating the day has been particularly tough.

“Today, we celebrate the promise of a new life that transcends death. Yet, standing here now, I must confess, there are times when that promise feels impossibly distant,” she shared, her voice quivering with emotion.

‘When life itself seems far harder than death. These moments of deep disappointment with God, the feeling of utter abandonment. 

‘For most of us, there will come a time in our lives when these feelings hold sway. In our tradition, we are taught to take comfort in the fact that our friend, Jesus, in his short life, experienced every single emotion that we humans can feel. 

‘That his taking on the form of humanity made him not a distant observer to our pain, but a hands-on experiencer of it. Recently, though, in my own season of trial, I have wondered, I have questioned whether Jesus ever experienced this particular wound that I feel,’ Savannah shared, referring to the ‘grievous and uniquely cruel injury of not known’ she is enduring. 

Savannah Guthrie held back tears as she described her 'deep disappointment with God' on the first Easter without her beloved mother Nancy

Savannah Guthrie held back tears as she described her ‘deep disappointment with God’ on the first Easter without her beloved mother Nancy

Nancy has yet to be seen or heard from since her mysterious disappearance from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1

Nancy has yet to be seen or heard from since her mysterious disappearance from her home in Tucson, Arizona, on February 1

Since her mother vanished, there have been a series of blackmail messages sent to the family and to media outlets demanding money in bitcoin in return for Nancy. 

None of the ransoms were ever paid as the Guthrie family demanded that they proof of life, but never got it. 

Authorities and the family also could not verify the authenticity of the ransom notes, despite their willingness to pay. 

Over the course of the investigation, only a few people have been taken in for questioning. No one has been arrested. 

Various pieces of evidence have also been found at the home and in the surrounding area, including drops of blood on Nancy’s front porch, a torn-down doorbell camera, and various gloves. 

Surveillance footage also captured a masked person outside her front door, appearing to tamper with the doorbell camera before it was snatched off. 

Nearly two weeks ago, Savannah revealed she will return to anchoring the Today Show on Monday, April 6, but warned her comeback might be short-lived because of her mother’s abduction. 

In a tearful interview with her NBC colleague Hoda Kotb, Savannah said of her Today colleagues: ‘I have been so grateful to have this family.

Various pieces of evidence have also been found at the home (pictured) and in the surrounding area, including drops of blood on Nancy's front porch, a torn-down doorbell camera, and various gloves

Various pieces of evidence have also been found at the home (pictured) and in the surrounding area, including drops of blood on Nancy’s front porch, a torn-down doorbell camera, and various gloves

‘I consider this my family, my greater family, and when times are hard, you want to be with your family and I want to be with my family,’ she said.

‘I don’t know if I can do it. I don’t know if I’ll belong anymore but I would like to try.’ 

She’s been off-screen since the horrible news broke,  and suggested she is a fundamentally different person from the one last seen hosting from Studio One at NYC’s Rockefeller Center.

‘I can’t come back and try to be something that I’m not. But I can’t not come back, because it’s my family. I think it’s part of my purpose right now,’ she told Kotb in the portion of the interview that aired Friday.

‘I want to smile, and when I do, it will be real. My joy will be my protest. My joy will be my answer. And being there is joyful.

‘And when it’s not, I’ll say so.’

Savannah, in her interview with Kotb, also suggested that she could forgive Nancy’s kidnapper if they come forward.

‘We need an answer and someone has it in their power to help,’ she said, before directly addressing her mother’s abductor and potential witnesses.

In a tearful interview with her NBC colleague Hoda Kotbm Savannah said of her Today colleagues: 'I have been so grateful to have this family'

In a tearful interview with her NBC colleague Hoda Kotbm Savannah said of her Today colleagues: ‘I have been so grateful to have this family’

Savannah, her sister Annie, and her brother-in-law Tommaso Cioni are seen visiting the growing memorial outside of Nancy's home on March 2

Savannah, her sister Annie, and her brother-in-law Tommaso Cioni are seen visiting the growing memorial outside of Nancy’s home on March 2

‘It is never too late and when you do, the warmth of love and forgiveness, that will come, will be greater than can be imagined.

‘I know what it is to be forgiven. And there is no greater joy. And that joy awaits whoever can hear this and find it in their heart to help.’

The Today show co-host further shared how her Christian faith has kept her connected to her mom and helped her survive the horrific nightmare.

‘God doesn’t tell us not to wrestle with him. This isn’t some cheap faith and my mom taught me that. God only requires our authentic presence, and that he has,’ she said.

Savannah said she ‘never doubted’ God despite the pain that her family was enduring.

‘Faith is how I will stay connected to my mom. God is how I’m holding hands with my mom. And I won’t let sadness win.’

Empowering Women in Sports: #SheGotGame Returns to Augusta for Skill-Building Experience


AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Augusta is once again hosting an event dedicated to empowering women.

#SheGotGame is set to gather women from diverse sectors, including business, nonprofits, corporate environments, and homemakers. The primary aim is to foster connections, facilitate networking, and encourage personal development. According to Tonia Gibbons, the event’s organizer, it is crafted to support women eager to enhance any aspect of their lives.

This year, the spotlight is on guest coach Kimberly Ratcliffe, who is the CEO of Ratcliffe Premium Meats in Texas. Ratcliffe transitioned from a career alongside Michael Bloomberg to managing her family’s cattle ranch, bringing a wealth of experience to the event.

Participants can look forward to insights and strategies shared by speakers and panelists, which will also be compiled into a take-home “playbook” for future reference.

Gibbons notes that the event has seen significant growth since its inception, expanding this year from a two-hour session to a four-hour engagement.

“She Got Game” is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. Paul’s River Room on Reynolds Street in Augusta.

You can register by calling 706-774-1651 or online at shegotgame.farrmoreandassociates.com/

Tolono Library Unveils New Community Garden for All Ages


TOLONO, Ill. – The Tolono Public Library is seeking to expand its role beyond a traditional book-lending facility by launching an innovative community garden. This initiative aims to foster community connections and enrich local engagement.

The concept for the garden was spearheaded by Community Engagement Librarian Hilary Reinhart, who is enthusiastic about its potential impact.

Man Faces Charges Following Parade Crash Injuring Revelers at 2026 Lao New Year Celebration in Broussard and New Iberia, Louisiana

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NEW IBERIA, La. — A festive parade celebrating the Lao New Year in rural Louisiana turned tragic on Saturday when a vehicle plowed into the crowd, injuring several attendees, according to local authorities.

The driver involved in the incident was swiftly detained and faces charges of impaired driving, police officials reported.

Footage circulating on social media captured the chaotic aftermath, depicting individuals lying on the ground at the annual event held in Broussard and New Iberia. The videos further revealed firefighters working diligently to rescue a person trapped beneath the car, which ultimately came to rest in a ditch along the parade route.

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office indicated that approximately 15 people sustained injuries, with some cases being severe.

Rebecca Melancon, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, stated, “Initial findings suggest this was not an intentional act.”

Acadian Ambulance, a private ambulance company, said on social media that it responded to the emergency around 2:30 p.m. and sent 10 ambulances and a helicopter to aid the injured. Two patients were airlifted, it said.

The Louisiana State Police said the driver, who is 57 and lived in Jeanerette, appeared impaired when police arrived and later tested positive for a high blood alcohol level. He was charged with impaired, negligent and careless driving and having an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.

The parade is part of a three-day New Year celebration set in the Lanxang Village, a Laotian neighborhood near New Iberia with hundreds of families, and near the Buddhist temple grounds of Wat Thammarattanaram.

It features Southeast Asian food, live music, a parade and other family-friendly activities attracting thousands each year.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issued a statement about the incident. “Sharon and I are praying for all those affected, and are grateful for the first responders who have responded to the scene,” he said.

The festival’s organizers issued a statement on Facebook saying they were “profoundly saddened” by the incident.

“We are praying for the victims and for their families during this difficult time,” it said.

Afternoon and evening events were canceled, but the festival planned to hold religious services on Sunday, the organizers said.

Copyright © 2026 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Chilling Crime: Teen Confesses to Gruesome Dismemberment and Collects Blood Samples in Disturbing Murder Case

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Left inset: Lucas Jones (Brevard County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Colie Daniel (WESH/YouTube). Background: Lucas Jones in court after allegedly killing and dismembering Florida resident Colie Daniel, who lived in Jones’ neighborhood (WKMG/YouTube).

A Florida teenager allegedly confessed to his girlfriend that he had “killed somebody and cut him up” following a brutal attack on a man in his neighborhood with a baseball bat. According to police reports, Lucas Jones, 19, from Indialantic, not only dismembered the victim but also collected the man’s blood to preserve on microscope slides.

In a chilling conversation recounted by his girlfriend, Jones expressed a desire to murder 28-year-old Colie Daniel because Daniel was a registered sex offender living nearby. The arrest affidavit confirms Jones’s statement, and online records indicate that Daniel had been convicted in 2018 for lewd or lascivious battery involving a minor aged 12 to 15.

“He wanted to kill him,” the girlfriend reportedly told police.

The affidavit further reveals that Jones had obtained a printed list of local sex offenders. Daniel, who lived nearby, was presumably included on this list of registered offenders that Jones had compiled.

Jones allegedly detailed to his girlfriend the gruesome manner in which he murdered Daniel, describing the use of a baseball bat for the killing and a cleaver, saw, and knife for dismemberment. According to the affidavit, Jones then placed Daniel’s dismembered body into two suitcases and two large Rubbermaid totes.

A portion of Daniel’s dismembered remains were found in an area known as the “Compound” in Palm Bay, along Bombardier Boulevard, on March 28. Vultures were spotted swarming around an abandoned suitcase, which led to the discovery.

Daniel’s parents had reported him missing on March 22 and informed police that he told them he was going over to a house about a mile away from their home; he never returned after saying he would be home for dinner.

The parents said they used “Find My iPhone” on Daniel’s iPad, which was left at their home, to determine that his cellphone was at 420 Watson Drive — Jones’ address, according to an affidavit for a search warrant.

They went over to the address on March 20.

“[Jones] confirmed that Colie Daniel was inside of his home, but … he refused to come to the door,” the affidavit says. “Colie Daniel’s parents refused to leave without seeing their son, so Lucas Jones called law enforcement, who responded to the scene.”

While the Indialantic Police Department and Colie Daniel’s parents were both on scene, Jones’ girlfriend arrived at the home. They had only been dating for about a month and a half, according to police.

“She often spends the night at Lucas Jones’ house and arrived on this evening after she got off of work,” the search warrant affidavit says.

Jones allegedly told his girlfriend to not say anything and go inside. He refused to let the parents and police enter his residence to see if Daniel, who had not been reported missing yet, was there, the arrest affidavit states.

“No contact was ever made with Daniel that evening,” the arrest affidavit says, noting how his parents and the responding officers left. “The residence at the time law enforcement and victim family members were there was an active crime scene, and Jones was in the process of cleaning up,” the document alleges.

Jones’ girlfriend later told cops that when she walked inside the home, Jones told her “I killed somebody and cut him up” and confessed that it was Daniel, according to the arrest affidavit.

“Jones had already cleaned up most of the blood inside of the home, but she still saw blood in the tile grout, the carpet rugs, the baseboards, and the wall outside of his bedroom,” the arrest affidavit says. “She also noticed one tile outside of his bedroom was cracked and dented in the shape of a head.”

Police returned to Jones’ home on the morning of March 21 — the day before Daniel’s parents reported him missing — but were unable to find any sign of him after being let into the residence to look around. After they eventually left, Jones’ girlfriend said he asked her to ride with him in her car to “throw away” the suitcase and totes containing Daniel’s remains, according to the affidavits.

“Shortly after Indialantic Police Department departs, so does Jones who is accompanied by [the girlfriend],” the arrest affidavit says. “Prior to departure, Jones loaded up at least two gray Rubbermaid storage totes and at least one black suitcase into the back seat.”

The couple allegedly made multiple stops “removing each tote and the suitcase from the vehicle at separate locations” throughout the Compound area in Palm Bay, according to police. After Daniel’s remains were discovered, authorities returned to Jones’ home with a search warrant and allegedly found evidence of blood throughout the residence.

On March 30, two days after the remains were found, Jones’ girlfriend came forward and confessed to police about what allegedly happened. She told them about items Jones used to clean up the crime scene and other objects used during the commission of the murder, according to the arrest affidavit.

“These items include but not limited to carpet rugs, paint used in covering up the walls and baseboards, residential trash cans, drills, plumbing pea-traps and evidence of microscope slides containing biological-matter,” the arrest affidavit says. “A drill bit was located in a bag along with some of the remains. There was an injury observed consistently with a drill hole, similar in size to the drill bit found.”

Jones was arrested and charged with murder, abuse of a dead body, transporting a human body in unauthorized containers, and tampering with evidence. He is being held without bond and is due to be arraigned on April 21.