A Phoenix woman is facing murder charges after she allegedly ran over and killed a man she met on a dating app — after he tried to end the date when he realized he had been catfished.
Who Is Involved?
Mikela Antresa Bahe, 30, has been charged with:
- Second-degree murder
- Theft of a vehicle
- Hit-and-run involving a fatality
The victim, Norris L. Taft, 52, died after being struck by an SUV in a Phoenix parking lot on May 3.
What Happened?
Taft met Bahe through a dating app called MokoSpace. The two first met in person at a donut shop that morning.
According to police, Taft texted his nephew during the meetup saying the woman did not match her profile photos — meaning he had been catfished. He told his nephew he was trying to end the date and take her home.
That afternoon, surveillance footage from an apartment complex near 16th Street and Maryland Avenue captured what happened next.
What Did the Camera Show?
Footage shows Taft walking through the parking lot and standing in front of an SUV with his hands out — apparently trying to signal the driver to stop.
The SUV did not stop.
Instead, it accelerated, struck Taft, dragged him under the vehicle and drove away. He was rushed to a hospital but did not survive.
How Was She Caught?
Police tracked Bahe through surveillance footage and social media. She had traveled to multiple Phoenix businesses before fleeing nearly 150 miles north to Flagstaff.
She was arrested in Flagstaff on Wednesday and brought back to Phoenix.
What Did She Say?
During police questioning, Bahe said she could not remember what happened after Taft took her to a dispensary. She then stopped answering questions.
Separately, police say she called a family member and admitted she had made a serious mistake and expected to go to prison.
Bahe is currently being held at Maricopa County Jail.
— Coverage by thecmeaglet.com
