Idaho Man Microwaves & Eats 70-Year-Old, Gets Life in Prison

NOTE: Reader discretion is advised as story contains graphic information.

LIFE IN prison

CLARK FORK, Idaho. A northern Idaho man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole this week on Tuesday, Jan. 31 after authorities found human remains in his microwave.

DISCOVERING DAVID FLAGET: the victim

Witnesses grew suspicious of foul play and contacted authorities after discovering the remains of 70-year-old groundskeeper David Flaget in their neighbor's truck bed.

Charges followed after detectives from Bonner County Sheriff's Office went on to find human remains in the microwave of then 39-year-old James David Russel on Sep. 10, 2022.

When detectives arrived on-scene, Russel attempted to flee authorities but was apprehended after a short standoff. Authorities noted Russel had been wearing gloves at the time.

THE MISSING pieces

According to Fox News, authorities searched Russel's truck and found Flaget's body bound by the wrists with duct tape and nude from the waist down. Partially mutilated, Flaget's penis, one testicle, and a portion of his thigh were missing. Authorities believed the mutilation occurred after post-mortem.

In the probable cause affidavit issued by Bonner County Sheriff's Office, investigators "wrote in their probable cause affidavit that they believe Russell ate the missing body parts."

East Idaho news reported that while detained in a mental health facility the following May of 2022, Russell's family told authorities he said he wanted to "cut chunks of his skin off with a knife to cure his brain."

LIFE IN PRISON without parole

On Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, the news outlet reported Russel, 40, was charged with first-degree murder and felony cannibalism in an amended criminal complaint. Approximately six weeks later on Monday, Jan. 30, Law & Crime reported Judge Barbara Buchanan sentenced James David Russell life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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🗨️ To assist investigators, report credible information by email or by phone.

Tip line: 208-883-7180

Email: tipline@ci.moscow.id.us

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