Florida Man Allegedly Fatally Choked, Stabbed On-Off Girlfriend With Letter Opener In Hotel Room, Police Say

A Florida man is accused of killing his on-and-off girlfriend by choking her and stabbing her with a letter opener in a hotel room, authorities said.

On July 9, police in Gainesville took Brian Scott Burns, 25, into custody on an unrelated warrant and later charged him with murder and destruction of evidence in connection to the death of Mary Williamson, the Alachua Chronicle reported.

Investigators found Williamson dead in a pool of blood in a room she was staying in with the suspect and other people at the Stayable Select Hotel.

According to police, a witness claimed Burns would get “crazy” when he used crystal meth, the Alachua Chronicle reported.

Once in custody, Burns initially denied during questioning his involvement in the crime but allegedly later admitted to detectives he killed the victim after the two got into an argument, police said.

Burns allegedly said he head-butted the victim during a fight, choked her unconscious, stabbed her multiple times with a letter opener and then put a garbage bag on her head and belt around her neck, according to authorities.

Police said the suspect told investigators that after the slaying he took a shower, changed his clothing and used bleach in an attempt to destroy his DNA at the crime scene.

Burns is being held on $2.05 million bond.