Michael James accused of killing Indiana woman and her stepson aged 10
Michael James, now 35, has been arrested and accused of murdering Chynna Dickus, 26, and her 10-year-old stepson, Blake, in their Franklin, Indiana home in July 2006. The case drew renewed attention because James, then 14, had publicly spoken the following year about his own mother’s death; prosecutors allege he concealed his involvement in the killings.
The victims were found stabbed during a burglary, but police initially had no immediate leads and offered a $25,000 reward. James’s mother, Janet Stroup, had gone missing in Texas in 1998 and was later found dead; her death remained unsolved. Police say forensic science helped identify James, who faces two murder counts and was expected to appear in court on Thursday.
- Michael James has been arrested in a 2006 double-murder case.
- The victims were Chynna Dickus and her 10-year-old stepson.
- Police say forensic science helped lead to the arrest.
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In July 2006, Chynna Dickus, aged 26, and her 10-year-old stepson Blake were stabbed to death in their Franklin, Indiana home during what appeared to be a burglary. The case remained unsolved for nearly two decades despite police offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to a suspect.
Michael James, now 35, has been arrested and charged with both murders. When the killings occurred, James was 14 years old; forensic science advances have recently enabled investigators to identify him as the suspect.
James's own mother, Janet Stroup, disappeared in Texas in 1998 and was later found dead in unsolved circumstances. He currently faces two murder counts related to the Franklin case.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Young boy gave emotional TV interview about his mom’s death in 2007… but now he’s accused of murdering a stranger and her stepson just months before”.