CUDAHY, WI (WITI/CNN) – A Wisconsin man was charged with first-degree homicide after investigators say he admitted to shooting his landlord in the back of the head.
Jason Tilley, 37, was arrested Friday after his landlord, whose identity police have yet to reveal, was discovered dead in a garage.
The victim’s wife, who had reported him missing last Thursday, indicated her husband went to meet with a tenant named “Jason” before going missing.
Tenant Sharon Cebula says Tilley and his landlord had a tense relationship, but she never thought it would end like this.
"You know, someone loses a temper, maybe you want to smack them or something – but to kill him?” Cebula said.
Investigators say Tilley got upset after he paid his rent and was told it was being increased by $30.
Prosecutors say Tilley shot his landlord in the back of the head, before hiding the body and stealing cash and his car keys.
"He just had a personal vendetta, you could say, against him,” Cebula said.
Tilley allegedly told police that hours after the shooting, he had some beers and a couple of shots then went home, got up the next morning and went to work.
Cebula says she’ll never forget the landlord’s genuine kindness and dedication to the people in his buildings.
"He took care of this place. I mean, all you had to do was call – bam, he was there,” Cebula said.
Tilley made his initial appearance in court Wednesday, and probable cause was found for further proceedings. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 14. Cash bond was set at $750,000.
A check of criminal records indicates Tilley had previously been convicted of felony offenses. He faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and possession of a firearm by a felon.
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