A man has been accused of committing murder and subsequently texting a handyman to clean up the scene.
On Saturday (September 28) at around 9:52am, police received a call from a handyman who reported discovering the body of 43-year-old Christopher Hahn at a residence on Oakville Avenue in East Quogue, New York.
Jeremy Allen, 43, was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges, and prosecutors have now disclosed additional details from the investigation.
During Allen’s arraignment in Southhampton Town Justice Court yesterday, authorities informed the judge, as quoted by News12 Long Island: “Hahn was a friend of Allen’s and was a guest at his house.”
Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Elena Tomaro alleged that Allen beat Hahn for several hours before dragging him onto the patio and continuing the assault with a baseball bat.
He then allegedly procured a ‘large knife’ and ‘stabbed’ Hahn ‘in the head and neck’—an act purportedly captured on the home video camera, according to the prosecutor.
Tomaro claims that Allen subsequently texted a handyman to come to the property and clean it. Upon arrival, one of Allen’s dogs reportedly uncovered Hahn’s body, which was allegedly hidden under a piece of tarp.
After the handyman noticed Hahn’s feet protruding from under the tarp, Tomaro claims Allen told the handyman: “Now you can’t leave. Now you have to help clean up the house.”
However, the handyman allegedly fabricated an excuse requiring more bleach and, after managing to leave the property, called the police.
Southhampton Town Police reportedly arrived at the property just before 10:00am and pronounced Hahn dead at the scene. The cause of Hahn’s death has yet to be publicly disclosed.
Allen’s attorney, Astarita, contends that Hahn had been instructed not to come to Allen’s house but arrived nonetheless. On the Friday evening, the pair allegedly ‘became very intoxicated’ at a bar despite plans to attend an addiction group together.
Allen has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is expected to appear in court again on Friday. Prosecutors are reportedly aiming to present the case to a grand jury on Wednesday.