Bus Rider Nearly Decapitated by Hatchet-Wielding Stranger Has Died

A man died on Thursday, nearly two weeks after he was reportedly attacked with a hatchet while at a bus stop in Arizona.

KGUN reported that Tucson police have charged Daniel Michael, 25, with first-degree murder after Daniel Couch’s death. On April 6, McMichael allegedly attacked Couch, 32, with a hatchet as Couch and his wife were at a transit stop.

According to KVOA, McMichael admitted to being the attacker after he was shown surveillance footage. The hatchet used in the fatal attack was reportedly found in his home.

McMichael was apprehended three days after the incident. KOLD reported that Couch was on life support until his death.

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Police said Couch and his wife were sitting on a bench when McMichael approached them while yelling. Couch reportedly responded to McMichael before McMichael allegedly hit him in the back of the neck with a hatchet.

“The injury cut the artery in the back of his neck in half. It went so deep that it hit his skull,” Couch’s sister-in-law told KOLD.

McMichael reportedly told police that he had been drinking and did not recall what happened. However, he later recalled confronting Couch.

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McMichael was originally charged with aggravated assault, but the charges were updated to include first-degree murder following Couch’s death.

McMichael remains jailed on a $1 million bond. He is due in court on April 28.

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