Indiana man murders girlfriend, eats her brains and heart

Joseph Oberhansley

An Indiana man is being held without bond for allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death, then cooking and eating parts of her body, according to a probable cause statement obtained by CNN affiliate WHAS.

Joseph Oberhansley, 33, is charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and residential entry in connection with the death of Tammy Jo Blanton. He’s being held at the Clark County Jail.

Jeffersonville Police Department detectives responded to a welfare check at Blanton’s home on September 11 after a concerned co-worker called authorities to report Blanton had not shown up for work that morning. The co-worker informed police that Blanton had been having trouble with her ex-boyfriend the previous night.

When officers arrived at Blanton’s home, Oberhansley answered the front door and told police she was not at home and he did not know her whereabouts, according to the probable cause statement.

Joseph Oberhansley (L) allegedly murdered, then ate parts of Tammy Jo Blanton (R)

Officers said they observed a fresh injury to Oberhansley’s hand, and after taking physical control of him, police said they located a folding knife in his back pocket.

“The knife had blood and hair on it,” the document stated.

A search of the home revealed several blood stains, as well as evidence that the back door to the home had been broken through, investigators said.

When police entered the bathroom, they discovered a large amount of blood, as well as a fabric tarp covering the bathtub. Police then pulled back the tarp and discovered Blanton’s body.

“The front of the victim’s skull appeared to have been crushed and brain tissue appeared scattered around the tub,” according to the document.

A deputy coroner who examined Blanton’s body determined she suffered numerous injuries to her head, face, neck and chest.

“A large section of the front of her skull was removed. A large portion was missing. Several cuts to her chest created a large opening,” the corner said, according to the document.

The coroner further stated that Blanton’s heart was removed.

“A plate with what appeared to be skull bone and blood was found in the kitchen. A skillet and a pair of tongs with blood on the handles were found on top of the stove,” the probable cause statement said. “The cooking surface of the skillet was blacked with a void in the middle where the cooked material had been removed.”

During a police interview, police said Oberhansley initially denied being aware of Blanton’s death but later confessed.

“He confessed that he had broken into the back door of the home and also broke into the bathroom where Blanton had locked herself inside. He struck Blanton several times with a knife, causing her death. He also admitted to mutilating her body, using a jigsaw to cut open her skull, remove a portion of her brain and eating it raw. He further admitted to cooking a section of her brain and eating it. A bloodied electric jigsaw and jigsaw blade were located and collected from [the] scene by detectives,” police said in the probable cause statement.

When asked by police what happened to Blanton’s heart, Oberhansley allegedly told investigators that he had removed it and eaten it along with part of one of her lungs.  

“During Monday's appearance in court, Oberhansley said he didn't commit these crimes and he didn't understand what the judge was talking about. He appeared anxious and said his name is ‘Zeus Brown,’” CNN affiliate WHAS reported.

HLN left a message with the Clark County Public Defender’s Office to determine if Oberhansley has retained an attorney. 

Culled from HLNTV