Accused Killer Says Victim Made Sexual Advances

nathan-epple

TERRE HAUTE, Ind.  – More information is known about a murder investigation in Terre Haute.

Last Friday night Terre Haute Police say that Jeffrey Cottrell came to police headquarters and reported that a male was in his bedroom holding an aluminum baseball bat.

Cottrell told police the man struck him, the intruder ran with his cell phone, five knives, and a bug out bag.

Cottrell was taken to the hospital. He died from his injuries on Sunday.

Autopsy results show that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.

Police located and arrested 26 year old Nathan Epple on multiple charges Tuesday night after a short foot chase.

Police said that Epple has some personal items belonging to Cottrell.

According to court records, Epple said Cottrell made sexual advances toward him and he then punched him.

Police say Epple was already wanted on a warrant for another case, where he faces two counts of armed robbery.

He’s in the Vigo County Jail and is being held without bond.