Winter Haven man kills woman over non-existent voodoo book, deputies say
WINTER HAVEN (FOX 13) - Polk County deputies arrested a Winter Haven man after he allegedly killed a woman because he thought she was reading a voodoo book to his son.
According to deputies, 22-year-old Deandre Coffer called 911 after he punched and choked his 32-year-old roommate Kiara Butler. Coffer told the 911 dispatcher that Butler was reading a voodoo book to his son and he did not agree with that decision.
He told deputies that he asked his son to leave the room and then began to fight Butler. Coffer said he punched and choked her until he thought she was unconscious. She was declared dead on scene.
After calling 911, Coffer walked to a neighbor’s home and waited for deputies to arrive. He admitted to the deputies that he'd smoked marijuana prior to the fight.
Deputies did not find any voodoo materials inside the home.
“What a senseless act. Ms. Butler was brutally beat to death by someone she trusted. There is no excuse,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “Coffer admitted to smoking marijuana prior to his violent attack and made up a bizarre story about voodoo. He will have plenty of time in prison to think about the pain he caused others."
Coffer has been booked into the Polk County Jail.