Olathe, KS (February 6, 2016, KCTV) — A 37-year-old Overland Park man who was high on meth says he murdered his roommate because he thought she was a zombie, police say.
Christopher Duane Wallace has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of 35-year-old Jennifer Lopez. His bond has been set at $1 million.
Lopez was found dead about 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 18 inside an apartment at West 61st and Foster streets in Overland Park.
Wallace called police and told them he was high on meth and beat Lopez to death, according to court records. When officers arrived at the apartment Lopez was found in the hallway with significant head injuries.
He was taken into custody at the scene and later arrested in connection with her murder.
Wallace said he had used meth earlier in the day with a friend after getting into a fight with his girlfriend who lives in Kansas City, MO, according to court documents.
He was driving around with his friend when he asked to be dropped off at home.
He told police he was asleep in the bedroom when he was awakened by Lopez and thought she was zombie. He then began beating her in the head and kept attacking her until “something made him stop,” court records state.
Wallace told police he thought he received some “bad meth” and asked if they were real police officers and not the “cartel.”
Wallace had severe cuts to his left hand that needed medical attention. He also had a scrape on his left forearm that appeared to be a defensive wound, police said.
Police found a pair of leopard print leggins wrapped around Lopez’s neck. A plastic bag had also been placed over her face.
Wallace will appear next in court on Feb. 25.
