In Lincoln County, Oklahoma, a man is accused of attacking his cousin with a baseball bat, burning the body, and discarding the remains in a rural location.
Chuck Dean White III, 30, is currently facing multiple charges, including murder, in the death of Terry Len Hause, 59.
Hause’s body was discovered in a secluded region of Lincoln County, approximately 10 miles away from the alleged site of the murder.
The investigation was triggered when a cousin of Hause returned to their shared apartment in Harrah, Oklahoma, on October 19, 2023, only to find evidence of a violent altercation. Blood stains were evident on the floor and a recliner, suggesting an attempt to clean up the scene.
The cousin queried White about Hause’s whereabouts, and he allegedly responded, “The problem is gone.” This statement further raised suspicions and concerns about House’s safety and location. The tensions between Hause and White were well-known among family members. Hause had taken to carrying a 10 to 12-inch knife, secured in a tan sheath, at the rear of his waistband, likely as a precaution against potential threats from White.
White’s uncle reported witnessing him arriving in a Toyota Corolla at his home on October 20, 2023. He was seen placing items into a burn barrel and igniting them. Upon inspecting the remnants, authorities found a charred knife, a shovel, and other materials.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokesperson, Hunter McKee, said they believe White discarded the body in rural Lincoln County after the alleged murder. Both the victim’s and the suspect’s cell phones played a pivotal role in leading authorities to the remains. A detailed examination of the body revealed multiple lacerations to the head and face and a single cut on his hand.
A subsequent inspection of Hause and White’s shared apartment provided more evidence. Police found markings consistent with knife wounds and a potential bone fragment.
White was soon located by the police and detained during a traffic stop. In a subsequent interrogation, he purportedly confessed to the police about the confrontation. He indicated that the altercation began over accusations of molestation. The disagreement escalated to a point where he allegedly struck Hause in the face using a baseball bat.
Specific details of the allegations of molestation remain undisclosed. An investigation is still active, and authorities continue to probe deeper into the incident to uncover more details and determine the complete sequence of events.
