Chilling True Crime: Father Discovers Son's Deadly Split Personality in 2017 Indiana Murder Case
The chilling events of April 6, 2017, unfolded in a quiet Indiana home when 14-year-old Donovan Nicholas placed a disturbing 911 call claiming he had killed his stepmother, Heidi Fay Taylor. The soft-spoken teenager, described by his father Shane as "a genius" and "non-confrontational," shocked authorities with his confession and bizarre explanation that an alternate personality named "Jeff" had committed the murder. This devastating case began with a frantic call to Shane Nicholas, who learned from police that a tragedy had occurred at his home while he was away.
As officers arrived at the scene, they found Donovan sitting in the kitchen covered in blood, while his 40-year-old stepmother lay deceased upstairs with evidence of a violent attack. During questioning, the teenager maintained that "Jeff," a personality he claimed had been inside him for about three months, had taken control and committed the murder. Despite appearing calm during his interactions with authorities and medical personnel, troubling details emerged about Donovan's behavior earlier that day, including a comment to a classmate about stabbing someone that had been dismissed as a joke.
Key Takeaways
A 14-year-old boy claimed his alternate personality "Jeff" murdered his stepmother while maintaining he personally had no control over the violent actions.
Police discovered the victim, Heidi Fay Taylor, deceased in her bedroom with evidence of a brutal attack while the blood-covered teenager waited downstairs.
Though described as non-confrontational and intelligent by his father, investigators later learned Donovan had made concerning statements about violence at school earlier the same day.
Disturbing Phone Call to Shane Nicholas
Captain Looney Makes Initial Contact
On April 6, 2017, Shane Nicholas received a life-altering phone call while rushing home after learning about police activity at his residence. Captain Looney from the Champaign County Sheriff's Office contacted Shane, who was traveling with a friend named Adam. Shane immediately expressed concern, asking if everything was okay while confirming he wasn't driving.
"I can't drive right now. I gotta know what's going on," Shane told the captain, his voice filled with growing anxiety.
Captain Looney proceeded carefully, explaining that officers had responded to Shane's home around 6:00 PM following a report of a disturbance. The conversation took place while Shane was in Morrill, Indiana, far from the unfolding tragedy.
Learning of His Wife's Death
Captain Looney delivered the devastating news directly: "Your wife has fallen victim as a result of that incident and she's deceased." Shane's reaction was immediate and overwhelming, struggling to process the information.
"Oh God no, no, no, no, that's not what happened," Shane responded in disbelief.
What Shane didn't know was that his 14-year-old son Donovan had called 911 earlier, making a shocking confession: "I just killed my mother." When Captain Looney asked about Donovan, Shane described his son as "soft-spoken," "a genius," "very smart," and "non-confrontational."
The conversation took an unusual turn when Captain Looney inquired about someone named "Jeff." This puzzling question stemmed from Donovan's statements to the 911 dispatcher, where he claimed another personality named Jeff had committed the murder. Donovan had told authorities: "Jeff is inside me... he sometimes takes control and I have no control over him."
The Emergency Call and Donovan's Admission
The April 6th, 2017 emergency call to Champaign County dispatchers revealed a shocking confession from 14-year-old Donovan Nicholas. No one could have anticipated the horrifying admission that came over the line that evening around 6:00 PM.
Donovan's Disturbing Confession
"I just killed my mother," Donovan told the 911 dispatcher in a calm voice. The teenager immediately requested medical attention, creating an unsettling contrast between his composed demeanor and the gravity of his statement.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Donovan sitting against a kitchen wall, his white shirt covered in blood. Blood spatter marked the walls, floors, and appliances, indicating a violent struggle had occurred. When asked if anyone else was in the home, Donovan chillingly replied, "Nobody that's alive."
Upstairs, officers discovered the body of 40-year-old Heidi Fay Taylor, Donovan's stepmother, lying in her bed. Her wounds suggested a brutal attack, raising serious questions about what had transpired between the two. Officers also noted unexplained injuries on Donovan's face, leg, and lip.
The Alter Ego "Jeff"
As the 911 call continued, Donovan's confession took a bizarre turn. "It wasn't me who killed her," he claimed. "It was Jeff."
Donovan explained to the dispatcher that he had "another person inside me" who sometimes took control. "Jeff is inside me," he insisted. "He sometimes takes control and I have no control over him. I hate Jeff so much."
When questioned about Jeff's motives, Donovan simply stated, "It's just the way he is." He claimed Jeff had been in his head for approximately three months and that this was the first time Jeff had hurt anyone.
While being examined by medical staff, Donovan continued to blame his "alternate personality." He attempted to explain his condition, stating, "I have always believed there's a good side in a person and a bad side in a person." When asked what his bad side told him that day, he responded with a disturbing simplicity: "He said he was going to kill her."
Despite Donovan's father describing him as "soft-spoken," "a genius," and "non-confrontational," a disturbing incident had occurred at school earlier that day. When a classmate asked if Donovan had ever been so angry he wanted to beat someone up, Donovan reportedly answered, "No, but I would stab someone." The student dismissed it as a joke, unaware of what would follow.
Police Probe Begins
Donovan's Portrait By Shane
When questioned by Captain Looney, Shane Nicholas painted a very different picture of his son than the one police encountered at the crime scene. Shane described 14-year-old Donovan as "soft-spoken" and "a genius" who was "very, very smart" and "non-confrontational." The distraught father emphasized repeatedly that his son had "never done anything" harmful to anyone, appearing genuinely shocked by the situation unfolding at his home.
During the phone conversation, Captain Looney questioned Shane about his son's social connections. Shane indicated that Donovan didn't have friends. This social isolation would become a significant factor as investigators tried to understand the teenager's mindset and potential influences.
The Enigma of "Jeff" Emerges
The investigation took a disturbing turn when authorities encountered Donovan's claims about "Jeff" - an alleged alternate personality. During his initial confession to the 911 dispatcher, Donovan stated: "It wasn't me who killed her. It was Jeff." He described Jeff as "another person inside me" who "sometimes takes control."
When questioned about this mysterious entity, Donovan told investigators Jeff had been "in his head" for approximately three months. He portrayed Jeff as inherently violent, stating "it's just the way he is" when asked about the murder motive. Notably, Donovan claimed this was Jeff's first violent act.
Medical personnel noted Donovan's continued insistence on this alternate personality explanation. He told a nurse he had "multiple personality" issues, explaining: "I have always believed there's a good side in a person and a bad side in a person." According to Donovan, his "bad side" had instructed him to kill.
Heidi Fay Taylor's Discovery
Officers searching the Nicholas residence made a grim discovery upstairs. The victim, identified as 40-year-old Heidi Fay Taylor, was found deceased in her bed. The crime scene revealed extensive evidence of violence:
Blood spattered across walls
Blood on floors and appliances
Signs of a significant struggle
During initial questioning, Donovan made the chilling statement that nobody else in the home was "alive." Later, in conversation with medical staff, he clarified that the victim was his stepmother, not his biological mother as initially reported.
Investigators documented numerous injuries on Donovan, including:
Facial wound (particularly on his lip)
Leg injury requiring medical attention
Scratch marks
Possible stomach injury
The brutal nature of the attack raised profound questions about what had triggered such violence from a teenager described by his father as harmless and non-confrontational.
Questioning and Examination
Juvenile Rights During Police Questioning
The legal complexities surrounding Donovan's case began immediately with his police interrogation. Ohio law establishes that while parental consent isn't mandatory for questioning minors, obtaining a proper Miranda waiver becomes essential when a juvenile is considered a suspect in a crime. This legal protection serves a crucial purpose - if authorities fail to secure a voluntary Miranda waiver, any information gathered during questioning becomes inadmissible in criminal proceedings. This safeguard exists to protect vulnerable young suspects who may not fully comprehend their rights or the consequences of their statements.
Physical Injuries and Behavioral Observations
During the initial assessment, officers documented several concerning injuries on Donovan's body. A noticeable wound appeared on his face, which he provided no explanation for when questioned. Additional injuries were noted on his leg and stomach. The blood-soaked white shirt he wore contrasted sharply with his father's description of him as "soft-spoken," "non-confrontational," and "very smart."
When paramedics transferred him to a gurney, they documented his continued references to "Jeff" - the alternate personality he claimed was responsible for the violence. Two particularly disturbing statements emerged during this process:
"I don't know why Jeff did this"
"I don't know why she didn't stay down"
These comments suggested both dissociation from the act and awareness of a prolonged struggle.
Medical Staff's Questions and Revelations
At the hospital, a nurse conducted her own preliminary assessment before the formal police interrogation. Her first concern addressed safety: "Am I going to be safe in here in the room with you?" During this exchange, Donovan attempted to explain his condition, stating he had "never been diagnosed" but described something similar to multiple personality disorder, explaining:
"I have always believed there's a good side in a person and a bad side in a person."
This conversation revealed a critical detail that hadn't been previously disclosed - the victim was not his biological mother but his stepmother, Heidi Fay Taylor. When asked about what triggered the violence, Donovan's response was chillingly brief: the voice "said he was going to kill her." This medical assessment provided investigators with initial insights into Donovan's mental state before formal questioning began under Miranda protections.
The Unraveling Enigma
Understanding 'Jeff' Persona
Donovan's chilling 911 call revealed something unexpected - a claim that "Jeff" was responsible for his mother's death. When questioned about this mysterious "Jeff," Donovan explained him as "another person inside me" who sometimes "takes control." According to Donovan, this entity had been present in his mind for approximately three months.
Police records show Donovan telling dispatchers, "I hate Jeff so much... he's going to make me die in prison." When investigators later questioned Donovan's father about "Jeff," he expressed complete surprise, stating he had never heard of anyone by this name in his son's life.
Donovan described his condition to medical personnel not as traditional multiple personality disorder but something different, where he remained aware while losing control. "I have always believed there's a good side and a bad side in a person," he told a nurse, suggesting Jeff represented his darker impulses.
Donovan's Presence at the Crime Scene
When officers arrived at the residence, they discovered a horrific tableau. Donovan was found in the kitchen, leaning against a wall, his white shirt saturated with blood. The house showed clear evidence of violence, with blood splattered across walls, floors and kitchen appliances.
Physical condition:
Visible injury to his lip
Scratch on his leg
Possible injury on stomach (mentioned but unclear)
When asked if anyone else was in the home, Donovan responded with the chilling statement: "Nobody that's alive." Officers subsequently discovered the victim upstairs in her bedroom. The 40-year-old Heidi Fay Taylor had suffered fatal wounds consistent with a vicious attack.
Paramedics transported Donovan from the scene on a gurney. Throughout this process, he continued attributing the attack to "Jeff" and made the disturbing statement that he didn't understand "why she didn't stay down."
Conflict with Stepmother
During hospital questioning, Donovan made an important clarification about the victim's identity. Though he initially referred to the deceased as his mother, he corrected himself, stating she was actually his stepmother.
When asked about potential problems at school that day, Donovan denied any issues. His classmate and close friend Tatum similarly reported noticing no concerning behavior changes, stating, "If anything, he seemed a little bit happier at school."
However, a troubling interaction occurred on the morning of the killing. While in the library, another student named Jake approached Donovan's table and asked if he had ever been angry enough to physically harm someone. Donovan's response was deeply concerning: "No, but I would stab someone."
The other student dismissed this comment as merely a joke, not recognizing it as a potential warning sign for the violence that would occur later that same day.
Aftermath and Evidence Gathering
Following the initial 911 call and police response, authorities began the process of securing the scene and collecting critical evidence. Officers arrived to find a traumatic situation requiring immediate documentation and careful handling to preserve all potential evidence.
Gathering of Suspect's Initial Statements
When officers arrived at the residence, they found 14-year-old Donovan Nicholas in the kitchen, leaning against a wall with blood-soaked clothing. His initial statements to first responders were recorded and preserved as evidence. During these conversations, Donovan repeatedly referenced an alternate personality named "Jeff" whom he claimed had committed the violence.
"I hate Jeff so much," he told authorities. "He's going to make me die in prison."
Donovan provided information about this alleged alternate personality, stating that "Jeff" had been present in his mind for approximately three months. When questioned about prior violent incidents, he indicated this was the first time "Jeff" had hurt anyone. The teenager appeared calm but disoriented during these initial interactions with law enforcement.
Photographic Documentation and Rights Notification
Officers meticulously photographed the crime scene, capturing blood spatter patterns on the walls, floors, and kitchen appliances. The images preserved critical evidence showing signs of a significant struggle that had occurred in the home.
When paramedics arrived, they transported Donovan to a medical facility where:
Medical staff documented his injuries, including wounds to his leg and face
Officers photographed his blood-stained clothing
Police formally read him his Miranda rights
The photographic evidence collection extended to the upstairs bedroom where officers discovered the body of 40-year-old Heidi Fay Taylor, Donovan's stepmother. The documentation included the position of the body and the nature of the fatal wounds, which appeared consistent with a violent attack.
During medical treatment, a nurse questioned Donovan about safety concerns, to which he responded by further referencing his claimed condition: "I have always believed there's a good side in a person and a bad side in a person." When asked what his "bad side" told him that day, he replied cryptically that "he was going to kill her."
School Interactions and Warning Signs
Tatum's Observations at School
Donovan's best friend Tatum reported no concerning behaviors in the days leading up to the incident. When questioned by investigators, Tatum specifically mentioned that Donovan actually "seemed a little bit happier" at school recently. This positive observation stands in stark contrast to the violent events that would later unfold.
No behavioral changes or warning signs were apparent to his closest peer, which made the subsequent violence even more unexpected. Donovan's father similarly described him as "soft-spoken," "very smart," and "non-confrontational" when speaking with authorities, reinforcing the image of a youth who showed no outward signs of violent tendencies.
Library Conversation
A particularly troubling interaction occurred in the school library on the morning of April 6th, 2017. A student named Jake, who was frustrated with another classmate, approached Donovan's table. During their conversation, Jake asked Donovan if he had ever been so angry at someone that he wanted to physically harm them.
Donovan's response was deeply concerning in retrospect: "No, but I would stab someone." At the time, the other student dismissed this comment as merely dark humor, not recognizing it as a potential indication of Donovan's violent thoughts. Just hours later, Donovan would return home where the tragic incident with his stepmother occurred.
This brief exchange represents one of the only documented warning signs preceding the violence, though it wasn't recognized as significant at the time.
