Man, 52, Texted Family About Being ‘Catfished’. Moments Later, His Date Allegedly Killed Him Using His Own Car

A woman in Phoenix, Arizona, has been charged with second-degree murder following a tragic incident involving a hit-and-run that claimed the life of her date. Mikela Bahe, aged 30, has become the focus of a police investigation after allegedly running over 52-year-old Norris Taft during an argument on Sunday, May 3.

The Phoenix Police Department (PPD) responded to emergency calls around 4 p.m., reporting that a man had been struck by a dark-coloured SUV in a parking lot at an apartment complex on Maryland Avenue. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the driver, later identified as Bahe, left the scene immediately after the incident. Emergency responders found Taft critically injured and transported him to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission.

This distressing series of events unfolded shortly after Taft had communicated with his nephew, indicating he was on his way to meet a woman he had encountered through the dating app Mocospace. During the conversation, Taft expressed disappointment, claiming to have been “catfished” as the woman did not resemble her online profile. Taft texted his nephew in a moment of frustration, stating he would attempt to return Bahe to her home after their outing.

After their initial meet-up, Taft and Bahe visited a local dispensary before returning to his apartment. It is reported that tensions escalated between the pair, leading to the unfortunate incident in which Taft was run over by his own vehicle. Surveillance footage later revealed Bahe exiting the apartment complex and entering Taft’s SUV prior to the event, with the video capturing the moment the vehicle struck Taft and subsequently dragged him along the ground.

Bahe was apprehended three days post-incident, on May 6, after a security video depicted her boarding a shuttle at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. She faces several charges including second-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident, and theft of means of transportation. Notably, Taft’s vehicle has not yet been recovered by authorities.

Upon her arrest, Bahe informed investigators that while she remembered being with Taft on the day in question, the details following their visit to the dispensary were a blur. Even after being presented with the surveillance footage, she maintained that she could not recall the events leading up to the incident.

Currently, Bahe is being held in custody at the Maricopa County Jail, with her bail set at $1 million. This case has garnered significant media attention, prompting a surge of interest in the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Norris Taft. His family is in mourning, grappling with the loss while they seek justice on his behalf.

The investigation remains ongoing, as local authorities continue to gather evidence and information. The PPD has yet to provide a public comment about the case, but updates are anticipated as the situation develops. Community interest in the events has provided a platform for conversations about safety and personal responsibility on dating apps, particularly in light of the tragic outcome for Taft.

As the legal proceedings commence, the focus will shift to the court, where both the prosecution and defence will present their narratives around the events of that fateful day. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers associated with online dating and the importance of vigilance and safety awareness in such environments.