MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A man wanted for his involvement in the murder of a Miami Beach man and arrested by New York Police has made a chilling confession.
It all began when Miami Beach Police officers discovered a body identified as 77-year-old Erik Stocker inside a condo off of 15th Street and Michigan Avenue, around 6 p.m., on May 1.
According to sources, a samurai sword was used in the killing of Stocker, whose body was left at the scene for at least 10 days prior to being discovered.
Following their investigation, police identified 32-year-old Nicholas Brent Gibson, a federally-sought sex offender, as a suspect in Stocker’s murder.
Stocker at one point reportedly lived in his condo with the accused killer.
Detectives began to track Gibson’s movement and determined he had traveled to New York City, where local police assisted in locating and apprehending him.
Miami Beach Police detectives traveled to New York on May 3 and interviewed Gibson after he was taken into custody, Sunday.
Officials said Gibson admitted to his involvement in the slaying of Stocker.
Police also said Gibson made additional statements regarding his involvement in six other homicides at an earlier point in his life throughout Georgia, Florida and California.
Detectives were able to recover physical evidence to support the murder charges against Gibson once he is returned to South Florida.
As for Gibson’s additional confessions, police are working to evaluate the information and are cooperating with law enforcement agencies in those states to determine the credibility of his statements.
Before leaving to New York, police said Gibson used to live on South Beach.
“I’ve seen him where I worked, and I’ve seen him walk up and down Washington. He walks like he’s angry,” said a Miami Beach resident. “It’s unbelievable. I never would have known.”
He said Gibson was flagged as someone who skips on checks at service industry establishments in Miami Beach.
Gibson had mentioned he worked at Dunkin’ Donuts in online posts.
Police said it’s now up to federal agents to determine when Gibson will be returned to South Florida.
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