Christopher Howard Beachum
Dallas police have issued an arrest warrant in the murder of a gay Oak Cliff resident whom they believe was stabbed and strangled to death by a man he’d arranged to have sex with after they met on Craigslist.
Police on Monday issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, 27-year-old Christopher Howard Beachum of Addison, on a charge of capital murder. The warrant alleges that Beachum, who remains at large, murdered 68-year-old Gerald Canepa in his home at 1430 S. Montreal Ave. on March 15.
According to the warrant, Canepa was found nude on his bed on March 18 with multiple stab wounds. A TV, DVD player, computers and Canepa’s cell phone had been removed from the residence.
Canepa’s email records showed he’d exchanged messages with Beachum, who indicated he was going to Canepa’s house to have sex before their last correspondence at 12:29 a.m.on March 15.
Gerald Canepa
Records indicated that Canepa’s cell phone was detected by a cell tower one-half mile from Beachum’s residence in Addison at 1:51 a.m.
Police say Beachum pawned two cameras and several DVDs belonging to Canepa on March 18.
According to an obituary in the Dallas Morning News, Canepa had recently retired from the Dallas school district after 31 years as a computer programmer.
“Gerry has left us forever memories of his smile, kind heart, love for cycling around White Rock Lake, his love for his dog Buddy, gourmet cooking, his beautiful roses, driving his red 2012 convertible Camaro, and the special moments shared with family, close friends, and neighbors throughout the years,” the obit states.
The full warrant is below.
