Police in southern Indiana made a gruesome discovery when they found a 73-year-old man decapitated inside his home, later recovering the victim’s head at another residence.
Welfare Check Leads to Grisly Scene
The case began around 10 a.m. Friday when the ex-wife of the victim, Erich V. Winnecke Sr., called Jeffersonville police to request a welfare check at his Summerlin Place home. She feared for his safety because her son, 33-year-old Bryce William Winnecke, had been having serious conflicts with his father.
When officers entered the home, they discovered Erich Winnecke’s body in his bedroom with multiple stab wounds to the chest, defensive wounds on his arms, and extensive blood spatter on the walls. A large knife, about one foot long, was recovered nearby.
Detective Sam Moss described the scene bluntly:
“It was a very apparent homicide.”
Shocking Confession to His Mother
During the investigation, police learned Bryce had called his mother, who was at the victim’s home. According to the affidavit, Bryce allegedly confessed:
“I killed him. I went over to dad’s because he is the evilest person that ever lived. I cut his head off.”
Standoff and Discovery of the Head
Officers located Bryce at his mother’s home on Callaway Drive, about a mile away. Witnesses reported he was carrying a plastic bag roughly the size of a human head and holding a knife. He ran inside upon seeing police and refused to come out.
A SWAT team was called, and after a four-hour standoff and the use of flash-bang devices, Bryce was persuaded to surrender.
When investigators entered the house, they discovered the victim’s severed head inside Bryce’s bedroom.
Charges and Community Reaction
Bryce Winnecke was arrested and charged with murder and abuse of a corpse. He is being held at the Clark County Jail.
Jeffersonville Police Chief Kenny Kavanaugh called the crime “horrific” and urged compassion for the grieving family.
“Let’s please keep in mind, we have a family that was affected by the result of this.”
Neighbors on Summerlin Place said they were stunned.
“It’s shocking because this is a safe neighborhood,” resident Randi Snider told WLKY. “When families have issues, it can hit anywhere. Just anywhere. So it’s sad.”
What began as a welfare check quickly turned into one of the most disturbing murder investigations in Jeffersonville’s history. With Bryce Winnecke facing murder and abuse of a corpse charges, the case highlights the devastating impact of family conflicts that escalate into violence.
