Omak murder suspect claims victim was a demon

Jared Fudge admitted to killing an 82-year-old man Friday night with a machete and a sledge hammer, according to police, claiming he believed the victim was a demon.

Fudge, who was charged with first-degree murder and arson charges, is also accused of burning the victim’s house down with the body inside.

The victim, whose name has not been released by a medical examiner, filed a restraining order against Fudge in 2016 which expired in July, according to court records.

According to the Wenatchee World newspaper, Fudge told authorities he killed Clarence Hauf.

On Friday night, Omak police responded to a house fire before realizing there was a body inside, according to a police report. Witnesses told police that the man who’d set the house on fire was wearing boots and a cowboy hat, matching Fudge’s description.

Fudge was later found in tent in Eastside Park, according to a police report, where his alleged weapons were also found.

According to police, Fudge had moved his trailer onto the victim’s property before being asked to move.

Fudge once became so angry, police said, that he choked his own dog to death.