Suspect In Indiana 'Freezer Murder' Says He Was Working On 'Knife Moves'

By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 19, 2014 1:30PM

Daniel Shoffner [Image via LaPorte (Ind.) Police]

Daniel Shoffner, the 47-year-old Indiana man suspected of killing his 70-year-old roommate and stuffing her in a freezer, claims he accidentally killed her while practicing “knife moves.”

Shoffner was charged Tuesday with the murder of Birdie Elder, whose body was found Sunday in a freezer after his daughter called 911. Police found a pocket knife in a garbage bag matching the description of the knife Shoffner told police he used to stab her.

Shoffner contends he was working on his knife skills when he accidentally stabbed Elder in the chest, neck and hand when she attempted to block him. Shoffner admitted to placing Elder’s body in the freezer.

A probable cause affidavit filed by prosecutors states Shoffner killed Elder June 13. They were drinking and arguing about her family. Shoffner told police he held Elder’s body for 10-20 minutes before she died, then stuffed her 5-foot, 2-inch body into a 3-feet-tall-by-2-feet-wide chest freezer. Shoffner’s rationale? He wanted to “keep her cool.”

Here’s more from The Times of Northwest Indiana.

Shoffner also claimed he took some of Elder's Xanax tablets, injected insulin into his stomach and then slashed his wrists trying to kill himself, according to the court documents.

Shoffner said he was out for about two days before going to the hospital to get stitched up.

According to the affidavit, Shoffner told his daughter he had killed Elder, but she thought he was drunk and didn't believe him.

It wasn’t until he was crying during another talk with his daughter and telling her that he was serious that she called 911, the affidavit states.

Elder’s body is still awaiting an autopsy. She was found by police frozen solid and her body needs to thaw. LaPorte County Deputy Prosecutor Chris Fronk said Shoffner’s confession provides probable cause.