Don Fluitt was a devoted father who was brutally killed in 2016, just before New Year’s Eve. The investigation was stalled for a few months until the killer was discovered, thanks to a combination of DNA evidence and CCTV footage.
NBC News’ ‘Dateline: The Figure in the Garage‘ investigates the circumstances surrounding Don’s death and who was responsible. So, shall we investigate what transpired?
Recommended: Where is Don Fluitt’s Killer Terry White Now?
Who Is Don Fluitt And How Did He Die?
Donald Bryan Fluitt was born in September 1962 in Los Angeles, California. Don was a retired firefighter who was described as a fervent Christian who would go out of his way to help others.
The 54-year-old worked for a company that assisted and cared for people with developmental disabilities at the time of the occurrence. Don had three kids and was particularly close to one of them, who was eleven at the time of the incident.
On December 29, 2016, Don’s coworkers visited him at his house in Albuquerque, New Mexico, sometime in the afternoon. When his daughter was unable to contact him, she contacted one of her father’s coworkers.
They discovered Don on the garage floor after realising the entrance door was open. His throat was cut with a steak knife after he was strangled.
Also Read: Where is Don Fluitt’s Ex-wife Christine White Now?
Who Killed Don Fluitt And Why?
At the site, there were no traces of forced entry, and everything appeared to be in its proper place. As a result, the authorities suspected that the motive was personal. As a result, they began investigating Don’s life and relationships.
Don was involved in a contentious custody fight with his ex-wife, Christine White, at the time. They had an eleven-year-old daughter together, and they were due to go to court for custody just days after the murder.
In addition, security cameras played a key part in the investigation. Don’s next-door neighbour had security cameras installed in his driveway, which caught a portion of Don’s driveway.
Authorities then examined surveillance video from the night of December 28, 2016. Don was meant to drop the daughter off with Christine, who was married to Terry White at the time.
Don was seen leaving the house on video, and a hooded individual was afterwards observed throwing the trashcan outside Don’s residence.
When Don arrived, he proceeded to get the bin, and the footage revealed that the garage sensor had been tripped as someone sneaked inside. The attacker put up a scheme to kill Don inside the garage, according to the authorities.
Don’s DNA was found under his fingernails a few months later, and it was a match to Christine’s husband, Terry. In addition, he had a weak alibi. Terry was then apprehended at a truck stop in Arizona.
Terry appeared to confess the murder and its details to an inmate after his detention, who eventually went to the police with the information.
Despite the fact that Terry never stated a reason in court, the family assumed it was due of the ongoing custody dispute. Terry was sentenced to life in prison in August 2018 for murder and additional offences.