A 74-year-old man from Greenacres has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly poisoning his roommate and living with the body for days. The victim’s body was found by deputies on March 31, 2022, days after the suspect, John Reeves, had reportedly poisoned him.
Discovery of the Body
Deputies were called to the residence for a welfare check on two occasions, on March 28 and March 31, 2022. On March 31, 2022, they found the victim’s body in the bed after entering an unlocked house. Reeves was found asleep in the same room and was described as “disoriented and intoxicated.” He was taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation.
Suspect’s Confession
During the investigation, Reeves admitted to giving the victim pills mixed with vodka to make him quiet, as the victim was “drunk, making noises and would not shut up.” The pills were given twice during the night after they had been drinking for more than 24 hours. Reeves also confessed to wanting to die by suicide because of his role in the victim’s death. Investigators found multiple pill bottles and vodka glasses in the residence, further supporting the allegation.
Reeves’ Sister’s Account
Reeves’ sister in the United Kingdom also gave a statement, saying that her brother informed her that the victim wasn’t breathing. She advised him to call an ambulance and put the person in a recovery position.
The Medical Examiner’s Report
The medical examiner’s report received on March 8, 2023, revealed that the cause of death was a homicide due to a mixed-drug toxicity.
Reeves’ Confession to Law Enforcement
On April 1, 2023, detectives read Reeves his Miranda Rights at a hospital and he confessed to the crime. He explained that he knew the person was dead, but he didn’t contact first responders because he wanted to pretend they were alive for a few days longer. Reeves reportedly drank and smoked for days while pretending “it never happened.”