Suspect in 14-Year-Old Cold Case Kills Himself During Police Video Interview

Michael Wayne Thomas, 54, suddenly shot himself dead during a video interview with police

A man linked to a 14-year-old Oklahoma City cold case murder fatally shot himself during a virtual police interview, shocking detectives and leaving the investigation with more questions than answers.

Michael Wayne Thomas, 54, had long been a person of interest in the 2010 murder of 34-year-old Julie Mitchell, who was found beaten to death and stuffed in a closet in the master bedroom of her Oklahoma City home. Her one-year-old daughter was discovered next to the body when police arrived. Approximately $30,000 was missing from a nearby safe.

Julie’s husband, Teddy Mitchell, a known underground gambler, was on a flight to California at the time of the killing. Thomas, an insurance salesman and close associate of Mitchell, had been interviewed by police and the FBI multiple times over the years, but consistently denied involvement—despite his company checkbook being found in the Mitchell home.

Julie Mitchell was beaten to death in her home, aged 34, on November 2, 2010, found in her house in Oklahoma City with $30,000 missing from the nearby safe

The Oklahoma City Police Department arranged another interview with Thomas on Saturday. After initially agreeing to meet in person, he changed his mind and opted for a virtual interview, joined by his attorney, Ed Blau.

“He chose to pull out a pistol and shoot himself, ending his life,” said Master Sergeant Gary Knight. “This is somebody we wanted to talk to. There were questions we needed answered.”

According to Detective Bryn Carter, the video call began at 10 a.m., but Thomas dominated the conversation, refusing to let police speak or ask questions.

Thomas was an associate of Julie's husband Teddy Mitchell (pictured), who was on a plane to California at the time of the murder

“At about 40 minutes through the interview, he produced a firearm and took his own life,” Carter said. “In 31 years on the force, conducting hundreds of interviews, I’ve never had anyone commit suicide in front of me.”

Blau, who was also on the call, described the moment Thomas collapsed and his phone clattered to the ground. “The phone landed right by his head, so we got to hear him die—the death rattle. It was as shocking and horrific as you can imagine,” Blau said.

Just before shooting himself, Thomas reportedly said, “I’m just worried about my daughter’s safety,” and “I really hope you solve the case.”

The interview was not recorded publicly, and police have refused to release any part of it or any associated reports, including the reasons behind this renewed interest in Thomas.

Julie's murder exposed the illegal underground high-stakes poker games Mitchell was running out of their home, along with unlawful sport betting

Authorities later found Thomas's body in a wooded area near the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kansas—far from where Blau believed he was staying.

Thomas had deep ties to Teddy Mitchell, stemming from their mutual involvement in illegal high-stakes gambling and sports betting. Investigations following Julie Mitchell’s murder revealed that her home had been used as a base for underground poker games. Thomas admitted to the FBI in 2011 that he participated in those games and placed bets with Mitchell. His gambling debts grew so large that Mitchell became a partner in his insurance firm as a means of repayment. Thomas also provided insurance for Mitchell’s properties and vehicles.

Although Mitchell was never officially named a suspect in his wife’s death, he was later convicted on federal money laundering charges. In 2014, he served 27 months in prison and surrendered $1 million in assets to the government.

Detective Carter said Thomas’s suicide only adds to suspicions. “Him taking his own life without answering the questions that I needed answered to eliminate him as a person of interest—it speaks volumes that maybe he couldn’t answer those questions.”

Thomas remains a suspect in Julie Mitchell’s murder even after his death.