Crime

Ankle Bracelet On Dead Body Helps Police Find Florida Man Who Murdered Couple With Baseball Bat

FL Man Murders Couple With Bat, Ankle Bracelet Leads to Arrest

(AP) A North Florida man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after authorities say he beat a man and a woman to death with a baseball bat and then photographed their bodies.

Authorities said Saturday that Craig Arron Lede, 40, of Spring Hill is being held without bond after telling investigators that he killed John Ketsemidis, 29, and Dana Nelson, 28, at Lede‘s house on Wednesday when he became enraged that a debt couldn’t be repaid. The suspect also allegedly drove to the home of the male victim‘s mother the next day trying to get money while the female victim’s body was stashed in the trunk.

“The defendant stated he killed John and Dana because he was tired of being ‘screwed over,’” Hernando County Sheriff’s Detective Randy Wiliamson wrote in an arrest affidavit. “The defendant demonstrated how he swung the baseball bat and struck both victims. The defendant stated he photographed the bodies and intended to keep the picture as a trophy…”

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, Ketsemidis‘ mother called authorities Friday in a panic because she hadn’t heard from her son in a few days. She told authorities that Lede had come by her house on Thursday, telling a bizarre story that her son was at a local hospital and that he needed money. Lede was driving her son’s BMW, she said.

Hernando County sheriff‘s deputies headed to Lede’s home that afternoon in an effort to locate Ketsemidis — they had also traced him to the address through an ankle-monitoring device he was wearing because he was on probation. There deputies noticed what they believed was a body wrapped in a blanket on the garage floor, according to the news release.

“At that time Craig became very nervous and asked the deputies to leave unless they had a search warrant,” according to the statement.

Lede, who is unemployed and had a warrant for a probation violation, was immediately taken into custody. It’s unclear if he has an attorney.

As deputies pursued an arrest warrant, Lede began talking to investigators at the sheriff’s office, authorities said,

Lede said the couple came to his house late Wednesday night and that Ketsemidis said he couldn’t repay money he owed him, the news release said. Authorities said Lede became enraged and used a bat to strike Ketsemidis in the head, knocking him to the ground, and then to strike Nelson in the head.

“Once the victims were down and helpless, the defendant struck them in the head and upper body several times causing eventual death,” the arrest affidavit says. “The defendant used his camera to photograph the deceased victims.”

Authorities subsequently found both bodies in Lede’s garage — Ketsemidis’ wrapped in a blanket, and Nelson‘s in the trunk of Ketsemidis’ BMW.

The arrest affidavit says Lede acknowledged that he had “run errands with Dana’s body still in the trunk.”

Lede was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of armed robbery. Authorities said Lede was wearing a gold Bulova watch that he removed from Ketsemidis’ body.

Authorities believe Lede acted alone. He is currently being held without bond.

The St. Petersburg Times reported Saturday that Lede has a history of domestic violence and a September 2010 battery charge. His father-in-law David Stenger told the newspaper that Lede once struck Stenger’s daughter, prompting her to leave the marriage, file a restraining order against him and begin the divorce process.

Stenger said Lede’s behavior worsened following a devastating car accident and he became addicted to painkillers.

Lede and the two victims had all been patients at Hope Pain Management Clinic, which was closed a month ago after a lengthy investigation by the sheriff’s office.

“There is little doubt that (prescription drugs) significantly contributed to the deaths of these two young people,” Sheriff Al Nienhuis said in a statement. “This is a perfect example that prescription drug abuse is not a victimless or a non-violent crime.”

Comments (31)

  • walleye01
    Posted on December 6, 2011 at 8:05am

    headline state bracelet on dead body but story states bracelet on murderer…am I missing something?

    Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:35am

    This is a case of violence because drugs are illegal. They are in a failed “pain management” program and buying and selling drugs even so. It boils down to the money and whatever crimes that had, would or would not have occurred to get the money. This story plays out over and over and over again. It starts in the waiting room and the parking lots of the “pain clinics”. What goes on in the street plays out much the same way- BECAUSE of the money as the ‘ripping off’. If decriminalized the crime aspect would go away, until what little is left leads to such severe punishment for so little gain that it would all but disappear. Then and only then can “Addiction” be addressed. Three factors play a large role in addiction 1. PUSHING and 2. The thrill of the hunt and 3. The time involved in the hunt that eats away and then displaces productive pursuits.

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
    • Ruler4You
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:36am

      I guess that means we are going to have register baseball bats now.

      Report Post » Ruler4You  
    • Ghandi was a Republican
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:41am

      And by decriminalize i mean ADULT, By small fee ‘coupons’ (like a food stamp card only it’s not hiding behind the “food” ruse), and anyone who is not an addict can also get the allotment/coupons (small fee) and sell them on an exchange for some going rate. It’s a whole lot like the “carbon exchange” program except it has actual socially redeeming aspects and THE PEOPLE get the money for good behavior (Not the drug cartels).

      Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • kimberlyjesus
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:05am

    He was clearing possessed by a demon to kill them. God‘s word says that we are to be patient in all matters and if they couldn’t repay the debt then to cancel the debt. Jesus did that for us at the cross.

    Report Post »  
  • rebelwuf
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:55am

    I wonder how long it will be until we hear the calls for background checks and waiting periods for baseball bat purchases.

    Report Post »  
  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:05am

    Now, sounds like someone is going to get free rep, then food, lodging, and medical care for a long time!

    Report Post »  
  • Sniper48
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 5:40am

    So are the Dimocraps going to outlaw bats now? This guy must be the saint for debt collectors.

    Report Post »  
    • old white guy
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 7:44am

      the system seems to be working. they found the killer because there was a warrant out on him for parole violation. yep. working real good///

      Report Post »  
  • AlaskaismyEden
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:37pm

    What a bunch of crap… I’ve just come from a Blaze story where the comments mostly gripe about people on pot doing stupid, violent things.

    These people are the real story… addicted to LEGAL pain-killers, and violent to boot. Bet this wouldn’t have happened if they were smoking pot… they’d be sitting around the kitchen table with the munchies, commiserating and laughing about life.

    As long as there are people, there will be stress/pain to be relieved. Better a natural plant you can grow in your back yard than BIG PHARMA and ALCOHOL addictions, which are much more dangerous! And the prescriptions side effects… are you kidding me?

    LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, tax it, and use the money for free rehab for any who want it, for any addiction they have. It will create jobs, increase tax revenues, and lower crime rates, and that’s just for starters. Talk about win-win-win! Sheesh… it’s not rocket science here.

    Report Post »  
  • texanpatriot
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 9:48pm

    @ROADKING3131: I am more merciful than you. I would wait until he is convicted (or pleads guilty) and then have a few deputies walk up to the back of his head and put a few .44s into his useless brain.

    What an animal.

    Report Post » texanpatriot  
    • SATX 19
      Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:21pm

      I would go with the Chinese method…a single bullet to the back of the head and charge his family for the bullet.

      Report Post » SATX 19  
  • independentvoteril
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 9:29pm

    FL is a hot bed for doctors writing prescriptions for pain killers.. my friends son went down there just to buy drugs.. HOWEVER.. talk to people around you it’s becoming more and more common in all states.. as well as ANTI DEPRESSANTS .. my guess is if you give those that claim to need pain killers aspirins and tell them they were strong drugs they would feel just as good as IF they were.. also ask those on prescribed pain killers IF they think they are hooked on them they will answer NO..

    Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • Fuul Aluuf
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:44pm

      i@ndependentvoteril
      “.. my guess is if you give those that claim to need pain killers aspirins and tell them they were strong drugs they would feel just as good as IF they were.. also ask those on prescribed pain killers IF they think they are hooked on them they will answer NO..”

      Um, are you talking about just those who abuse perscription pain killers? Cause as someone who has been on perscription pain killers for over 10 years, I think you should check your assumptions/generalizations. To answer your questions:

      1. No, asprin doesn’t help.
      2. Yes, I am hooked on pain killers. Its called a supervised dependency.

      I have had 4 major surgeries and my case has been reviewed and approved by my insurance, multiple specialists and a medical board. I actually had to sign a pain-management contract that forbids me from going off my medication without prior approval. I take less than I am allowed, I hold down a full-time job at a major sofware company and I am the sole provider for a large family. If I didn’t take the medicine that I am perscribed I would not be able to work and would not be able to provide for my family (then you would be paying for my kids with your taxes.) So lets not lump everyone in one basket – there are serious injuries and illnesses that require strong medication.

      Now, if you are referring to people that are taking pain killers without a perscription, or doctor-shopping, etc. then we can agree: most folks are just looking to get high.

      Report Post »  
  • Roadking3131
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 8:41pm

    Lets just save time, money and our breath. Take him out back and shoot him.

    Report Post »  
  • Mr Caps
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 7:07pm

    BMW, expensive watch and living with mommy..tell me this isn’t a dope deal taken a turn for the worse.

    Report Post » Mr Caps  
  • Naram-Sin
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 6:54pm

    Well, at least Florida knows how to deal with monsters like this. Let’s hope Florida takes care of him the same way they took care of Ted Bundy.

    Report Post »  
  • MrKnowItAll
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 6:19pm

    This guy is addicted to Painkillers and he is the one owed money? Guy he kills has Rolex Watch? Something just doesn’t seem right here.

    Report Post » MrKnowItAll  
    • macpappy
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:45am

      Bolivoa watch, much cheaper than Rolex…..still a good watch.

      Report Post » macpappy  
    • ViewPointtt
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:53am

      Good point… after all, they only have the double-murderer’s word for it… and he is not the sort that would lie in an attempt to desperately rationalize, minimize his evil deeds… right?

      It is far more likely a case of breaking-and-entering to rob those he perceived to have too much.

      Report Post »  
  • MrKnowItAll
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 6:17pm

    Guy’s addicted to PainKillers and he is the one owed money? Guy he killed has Rolex Watch? Something ain’t adding up here.

    Report Post » MrKnowItAll  
  • King Troy
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 6:16pm

    a white guy killing someone. what else is new?

    Report Post » King Troy  
  • Mrs. Bowers
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 5:59pm

    His actions doesn’t have a darn thing to do with pain killers. He’s just a mean snake and finally got caught. Pain killers normally relax people and makes one sleep. This guy is just full of himself and pure evil.

    Report Post »  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on December 4, 2011 at 6:05pm

      Absolutely right, in this day of stupid, people are always looking for something else to blame, for the consequences this day of stupid hath wrought.

      Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 5:52pm

    Does this guy have family?
    Please out out an alert as to where they live so people can be on the look out
    DNA is a scary thing and anything closely resembling this guy needs serious watching

    Report Post »  
  • Alan
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 5:48pm

    They should establish a raffle for the honor of flipping on the power to this guy’s electric chair.

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 5:34pm

    Isn’t Karma great ?

    Report Post »  
  • sissykatz
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 5:22pm

    How totally bazaar…..I can’t say much more than that.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on December 4, 2011 at 5:19pm

    What happened… to Justice?

    Report Post » lukerw  

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