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Teen Chloe Ottman Killed at Religious Theme Park

By Jason Beahm on July 20, 2010 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Francisco Cruz, 19, faces the possibility of the death penalty after he allegedly raped, strangled and stabbed Chloe Ottman to death. Cruz told police that he had a crush on Ottman and after she rejected him, he brutally attacked her, according to court documents. They had been friends for several years.

Francisco Cruz was charged with first degree murder, first-degree sexual assault and second degree strangulation. Accompanying the arrest warrant was a statement from Cruz explaining, in great detail, how he murdered Ottman. One court official called it "the most chilling statement I've ever read," The Hartford Courant reports.

Cruz has been arraigned in Waterbury, Connecticut Superior Court. Bail was set at $5 million dollars. Prosecutors say that Cruz confessed that he murdered Ottman after they walked to religious theme park Holy Land USA last Thursday. Police began looking for Chloe Ottman after she was reported missing Friday by family members. By Saturday, Cruz had confessed and led authorities to her body.

The details are disturbing so please bear that in mind before reading further.

Cruz told police that after Ottman and him drank for a while while walking to the run down religious theme park, he made his move and Ottman rejected him, but he persisted. Ottman elbowed him in the face which made him mad. "I got so mad at her. I hate when people hit me on the face. So after she hit me and as she tried to get up, I grabbed her and put her in a choke hold," he said, the Courant reports.

When Ottman started screaming he covered her mouth but she continued screaming. He then jammed his thumbs into her throat until she went quiet. After she fell to the ground, he checked her pulse, then raped her. Then he strangled her again and took a knife and stabbed her several times in the neck before throwing her body into the woods.

If convicted the case has the sort of aggravating factors likely to lead to the death penalty. It is unknown at this time whether Cruz has an attorney representing him.

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