Silver Springs — A Silver Springs man was arrested Sunday and charged with First-degree Premeditated Murder after his roommate was found stuffed in the trunk of a car.
Eric Todd Gay, 36, said he woke up early Saturday morning and entered his roommate’s bedroom with the intention of stealing fentanyl patches and $200 from her.
Gay told authorities that the woman awoke so he put his hands around her neck and choked her unconscious.
Thinking she was dead, Gay wrapped her in a sleeping bag. However, as Gay was carrying the woman into the living room, she regained consciousness.
Deputies say that is when Gay picked up a Maglite flashlight and began bashing the woman in the head in an attempt to kill her.
Gay then stuffed the woman in the trunk of her own car.
According to reports, Gay stated that he could hear the woman snoring and knew she was still alive after he put her in the trunk. Gay then cut a telephone cord and strangled the woman to death.
Investigators said Gay robbed the woman of her personal effects in an attempt to conceal the crime.
Gay admitted to investigators that he is addicted to methamphetamines.
According to investigators, Gay is from West Virginia and has only been in Florida for a few weeks.
He is being held at the Marion County Jail without bond.
The woman’s identity has not been released.