Police arrest nephew in woman’s death

Stove’s gas turned on ‘deliberately’; unconscious nude adults treated at hospital

Midwest City police arrested a 23-yearold man Wednesday on a murder complaint in connection with the “violent death” of his 64-year-old aunt.

Police Chief Brandon Clabes labeled the woman’s death as a “strange homicide” that also two nude adults and natural gas.

The suspect, identified as Phillip Michael Potts, remained in the Midwest City Jail Wednesday.

Violet Hemphill, 64, was found dead Monday n her home by a relative who became concerned about her welfare. When police arrived at 1038 Holly Lane, officers found Hemphill dead from “obvious trauma,” Clabes said.

Investigators determined that controls on the gas stove had been deliberately turned to the “on” position with no flame. Firefighters immediately disconnected the electric and gas power sources.

During the initial investigation, police also found Potts and his 22-year-old girlfriend unconscious and nude in an adjacent bedroom. The two adults were taken to a local hospital where the girlfriend was listed in critical condition.

According to police, Potts and his girlfriend made a pact to commit suicide by drug overdose and natural gas inhalation after Hemphill died. Potts and his girlfriend left notes and took prescription drugs, police said.

Potts was released from the hospital Monday and his girlfriend was released Wednesday after being treated for the drug overdose and gas asphyxiation.

Officers were assigned to stay with the witnesses until they were declared medically stable and able to be interviewed by homicide detectives.

Investigators spent several hours Tuesday conducting a search of Hemphill’s home, and interviewed several family members.

Potts’ girlfriend has not been arrested and is still classified as a witness in the homicide investigation, Clabes said. She was interviewed by detectives Wednesday after her release from the hospital.