Person of Interest in 2010 Murder Dies by Suicide on Police Video Call

Michael Wayne Thomas, a person of interest in the 2010 cold case murder of Julie Mitchell in Oklahoma City, died by suicide during a live video call with police investigators. Thomas had been repeatedly questioned over the years about the brutal killing of Mitchell, who was found beaten and stuffed in a closet with $30,000 missing from her home, while her infant daughter was left unharmed nearby. The police had arranged a remote interview with Thomas, who was located near a Kansas casino, due to his refusal to meet in person, and he dominated the 40- to 45-minute conversation before pulling out a gun and shooting himself on camera. His attorney, Ed Blau, who had represented Thomas since 2012, described the event as shocking and horrific, noting the suicide was witnessed firsthand by law enforcement and legal representatives. Despite multiple interviews and close ties to the victim's family through gambling and financial dealings, Thomas consistently denied any involvement in the murder, which remains unsolved with no charges filed against him or others. Authorities continue to investigate the case, hoping to find answers to the unresolved questions surrounding Mitchell's death.