Marine’s Sinister Secret: Police Discover Son’s Body in Soldier’s Bedroom

Introduction

In a chilling case that has captured the attention of the nation, Eric Banks, a U.S. Marine veteran and active officer with the Baltimore Police Department, stands accused of a crime so heinous it has sent shockwaves through both the law enforcement community and the public. Moments after body camera footage revealed his unsettling demeanor during a police investigation, authorities discovered a horrifying secret hidden within the walls of his home. This article delves into the disturbing details of the case, exploring the events leading up to the tragic disappearance of his son, Dason, and the subsequent unraveling of Eric’s life.

The Arrival of Officers

On July 7th, 2022, officers arrived at the home of Eric Banks Jr. in Millersville, Maryland, following a report from his wife, Latrice, that their 15-year-old son, Dason, was potentially missing. Initially, the report seemed standard; however, the reality awaiting the officers was far more horrifying than they could have imagined.

As the officers approached the house, they heard loud bangs coming from upstairs. Despite their attempts to get a response, no one answered the door. After several tense minutes of waiting, Eric finally greeted them, appearing out of breath and disheveled.

“Hey, how you doing?” he asked casually, trying to mask the tension in the air. His demeanor was unsettling, especially given the circumstances. The officers quickly learned that both Eric and Latrice had filed protective orders against each other, making it illegal for them to communicate without police escort. As they spoke with Eric, they sensed something was off.

“Where’s DJ?” one officer asked, referring to Dason. Eric’s response was evasive. “I know he ran out the back door somewhere. All his stuff is by the back door.” The officers exchanged glances, their suspicions growing.

Eric’s behavior was erratic, and as the officers continued their questioning, they began to realize that something was very wrong. It was clear that Dason’s disappearance on the very day he and his mother were supposed to move out made the situation even more unusual.

The Search for Dason

As the officers attempted to piece together the family dynamics, Eric’s explanations became increasingly convoluted. “She called him and he went out the back door,” Eric insisted, trying to maintain his composure. “I told him to wait for his mom to get here.”

However, the officers were not convinced. They pressed Eric further, hoping to uncover any clues that might lead to Dason’s whereabouts. “You have no idea where DJ is? Honestly, bro?” one officer asked, trying to gauge Eric’s sincerity.

The tension escalated when Eric attempted to explain the situation, but his story was riddled with inconsistencies. “I literally told him, ‘Wait for your mom to get here,’” he repeated, but the officers could sense his growing anxiety.

Sitting beside Eric were his two younger sons, five-year-old Evan and three-year-old Tristan. The officers had no idea at the time that these two children would play a pivotal role in uncovering the horrifying scene that had just unfolded inside their home.

After spending nearly 15 minutes canvassing the area for Dason, the officers decided to call Latrice, but were unable to reach her. In a desperate attempt to find a relevant lead, they asked Eric if he would voluntarily consent to a search of the home, hoping Dason might be hiding inside.

The Disturbing Discovery

As the officers entered the home, Eric’s demeanor shifted. He had been cooperative up to this point, but now, a sense of urgency seemed to wash over him. He led the officers upstairs, where they would soon uncover a chilling secret.

In Officer Adams’ report of the incident, he noted that Eric’s demeanor had changed. The officers advised Eric to relax and let them search freely. They proceeded to the third floor of the home, where they would find the devastating truth hidden away.

Inside the loft, they discovered the lifeless body of Dason, cold to the touch and hidden away in a crawl space. Eric had forgotten to fully close the hole before meeting with the officers, and the gruesome discovery left the two officers in shock. They tried to maintain their composure while transporting Eric to a patrol vehicle.

“What’s up?” Eric asked, seemingly unfazed by the situation. But the officers were not prepared for the chaotic scene that had just unfolded. Officer Vos attempted life-saving measures on Dason, noting that his condition appeared consistent with an unresponsive individual.

Outside the home, Eric was temporarily placed in the patrol vehicle, but within moments, the situation began to spiral out of control.

“Stay seated,” one officer instructed Eric, who was becoming increasingly agitated. “I need you to stay seated.”

“Can I just kiss my boys real quick?” Eric pleaded. “No. I need you in the car,” the officer replied firmly.

Eric’s agitation grew. “I just threw my life away,” he lamented, his voice filled with desperation. “What are you doing? Just choke me. Just choke me.”

The officers struggled to keep Eric restrained as he attempted to unholster Officer Sutton’s service weapon, nearly knocking it to the ground. Fortunately, Eric’s handcuffs prevented him from causing any further harm.

As the chaotic scene finally settled, the officers briefly discussed the frantic events that had just unfolded. “I go up the subway to meet her,” one officer said, trying to make sense of the situation. “Come back here. I said, ‘Let me just check the house.’ It started getting real weird.”

The Interrogation Begins

With Eric now in custody, the detectives began to piece together the timeline of events leading up to Dason’s tragic death. They knew they needed to get to the bottom of the situation quickly, as the evidence was mounting against Eric.

Eric was placed into an Arendelle County interview room, designed for priority matters exclusive to high-profile cases. Because Eric had attempted to attack an officer earlier in the day, he was handcuffed to the table to restrict movement. Left alone for multiple hours, Eric scanned the room, likely searching for a camera.

What he didn’t know was that interview room 2B had a small camera placed in an unusual location, which Eric never managed to spot. The primary investigator assigned to this case was Detective Lewis Adrien, whose prior service in the military likely factored into the department’s strategic choice to have him conduct the interview.

Detective Adrien entered the room with a different demeanor than before. He wasted no time in asserting that his nice cop act was over. “Are you good? Do you need anything before we get started again?”

“I’m good,” Eric replied, his bravado slipping.

“From what I hear, you’re suspended,” Detective Adrien stated.

“Yeah, I’m suspended now,” Eric admitted, his tone defensive. “I got a protective order against my wife.”

As Eric recounted his story, he claimed he simply found Dason dead and had nothing to do with it. However, the detectives began to realize that Eric’s perceived honesty had all been a calculated act.

“Yesterday we went to court to get the protective orders,” Eric explained, his voice growing agitated. “The judge granted us both to stay away from each other. My two youngest boys were supposed to stay with me. The oldest was going to Arizona with his mother.”

Eric continued, detailing his last conversation with Dason, trying to paint a picture of a troubled teen caught in the middle of a family dispute. “He didn’t want to go with his mom,” Eric insisted, but the detectives remained skeptical.

The Crumbling Alibi

As the interrogation continued, Eric’s story began to unravel. Detective Adrien pressed him further, focusing on the inconsistencies in his narrative.

“You mentioned Dason was upstairs in the tub,” the detective said. “How did he end up there?”

“I don’t know,” Eric stammered, his confidence wavering. “He was just there when I came in.”

“Did you assist him at all with anything?”

“No, I didn’t assist him at all,” Eric replied, but the defensive tone in his voice only raised further suspicions.

Detective Adrien leaned in, his expression serious. “You need to tell me the whole story. Things don’t add up. If you would have just been straightforward from the beginning, we might not be in this position.”

Eric’s demeanor shifted as he began to realize the gravity of the situation. “I didn’t strangle my son,” he insisted, but the detectives knew better.

“Your son was found dead, Eric,” Adrien said, his voice steady. “You need to explain what happened.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Eric protested, but the anger in his voice only reinforced the detectives’ suspicions.

As the interrogation continued, it became clear that Eric’s calculated facade was beginning to crack. The detectives decided it was time to shift their approach, opting for empathy instead of confrontation.

“I’m going to tell you right now,” Detective Adrien said, his tone softening. “This is something you’re going to have to live with for the rest of your life. You need to think about what you did to him.”

Eric’s face twisted in frustration. “I didn’t do anything! I didn’t strangle him!”

“Then what happened?” Adrien pressed, his patience wearing thin.

“I found him in the tub,” Eric repeated, but his story lacked conviction.

The detectives knew they needed to dig deeper. They had seen too many suspects try to evade the truth, and Eric’s calm demeanor was a red flag.

The Shocking Revelation

As the interrogation progressed, Eric’s story became increasingly implausible. He attempted to deflect blame and manipulate the narrative, but the detectives were relentless. They had gathered enough evidence to confront him with the harsh reality of his situation.

“Eric, we know what the autopsy report says,” Detective Adrien stated firmly. “Dason’s cause of death was asphyxiation. The bruises on his body suggest he was likely strangled.”

“Hell no!” Eric shouted, his anger boiling over. “DJ wasn’t strangled!”

The detectives exchanged glances, recognizing the shift in Eric’s demeanor. The emotional outburst was a sign of desperation, a man cornered by the truth he was trying to hide.

“You need to tell me what happened,” Adrien urged, his voice steady. “Start from the beginning.”

“I didn’t do anything!” Eric insisted, but the defensive rage in his voice only confirmed the detectives’ suspicions.

As the interrogation continued, it became increasingly clear that Eric was not just lying; he was trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage. The detectives needed to break through his defenses, and they were determined to find the truth.

The Aftermath of the Investigation

Following the intense interrogation, Eric was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and child abuse resulting in death. The evidence was overwhelming, and the details surrounding Dason’s tragic death painted a chilling picture of a father who had lost control.

As the investigation deepened, Eric’s children revealed further secrets, adding layers to the already complex case. Dason’s mother, Latrice, provided crucial insight into the family dynamics, explaining how Eric’s life had begun to collapse in synchrony with the tragic events leading up to Dason’s death.

Despite his attempts to evade responsibility, Eric’s actions spoke louder than words. He had hidden his son’s body, lied to officers regarding his whereabouts, and exhibited violent outbursts once the body was discovered.

At trial, Eric quickly accepted a plea deal for second-degree murder and attempting to disarm a police officer. On October 4th, 2022, he was sentenced to 42 years in prison. If he serves his full sentence, he will be released in 2064.

Conclusion

The case of Eric Banks serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of human behavior in the face of tragedy. It underscores the importance of vigilance in recognizing the signs of domestic turmoil and the need for intervention before situations escalate to irreversible consequences.

As the investigation revealed the chilling realities behind closed doors, it also highlighted the resilience of those who survive such harrowing experiences. The story of Eric Banks, his son Dason, and the family dynamics that led to tragedy is one that will resonate for years to come, a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives.