Millionaire conspiracy theorist is charged with murder after man found dead in tunnels he had built

A Maryland millionaire was indicted on charges of second degree depraved heart murder and involuntary manslaughter on Thursday after a young man died while digging tunnels under his home for protection from nuclear war.

Daniel Beckwitt, 27, hired  21-year-old Askia Khafra to dig an elaborate system beneath his house over fears of a nuclear attack from North Korea, officials said.

Khafra died on September 10 from smoke inhalation and heat injuries he sustained when a fire broke out in Beckwitt’s home while Khafra was in the basement, which is where the tunnels and bunkers were located.

Beckwitt was released on a $100,000 bond on Thursday, after his representation argued that Khafra’s death was an accident that did not result from any intention or ill will on the part of Beckwitt, Fox 5 News reported.

Maryland millionaire Daniel Beckwitt, 27, was indicted on charges of second degree depraved heart murder and involuntary manslaughter on Thursday after Askia Khafra (pictured), 21, died on September 10 while digging tunnels under his home to protect against nuclear war

Maryland millionaire Daniel Beckwitt (left), 27, was indicted on charges of second degree depraved heart murder and involuntary manslaughter on Thursday after Askia Khafra (right), 21, died on September 10 while digging tunnels under his home to protect against nuclear war

Beckwitt’s financial worth is believed to be at least $3.7 million, which is what led to his becoming acquainted with Khafra. 

Beckwitt invested in a tech startup that Khafra was trying to get off the ground.

Khafra eventually then came to work for Beckwitt to execute his tunnels and bunkers project.   

Beckwitt and Khafra became acquainted when the Beckwitt invested in a tech startup that Khafra was trying to get off the ground, and then Khafra eventually came to work for Beckwitt to execute his tunnels and bunkers project

Beckwitt and Khafra became acquainted when the Beckwitt invested in a tech startup that Khafra was trying to get off the ground, and then Khafra eventually came to work for Beckwitt to execute his tunnels and bunkers project

Khafra was unable to make it out alive after a fire ignited in the home because he had been kept in the dark about the actual design of the home he was working beneath

Khafra was unable to make it out alive after a fire ignited in the home because he had been kept in the dark about the actual design of the home he was working beneath

The young man was blindfolded each day as he was led to the tunnels to continue his work

The young man was blindfolded each day as he was led to the tunnels to continue his work

Khafra was unable to make it out alive after a fire ignited in the home because he had been kept in the dark about the actual design of the home he was working beneath.

The young man was blindfolded each day as he was led to the tunnels to continue his work, detectives said.

This was because Beckwitt wanted to ensure the location of the tunnels remained a secret, even to the man who he had hired to create them.

Khafra is believed to have slept, eaten, and relieved himself in the tunnels. 

Khafra is believed to have slept, eaten, and relieved himself in the tunnels

Khafra is believed to have slept, eaten, and relieved himself in the tunnels

Beckwitt hired Khafra to dig an elaborate tunnels and bunkers system beneath his house over fears of a nuclear attack from North Korea, officials said

Beckwitt hired Khafra to dig an elaborate tunnels and bunkers system beneath his house over fears of a nuclear attack from North Korea, officials said

Beckwitt's home was characterized as existing in extreme-hoarded conditions, officials said

Beckwitt’s home was characterized as existing in extreme-hoarded conditions, officials said

The rest of Beckwitt’s home was characterized as existing in extreme-hoarded conditions, according to officials.  

In Maryland, there are two types of second degree murder. One of those crimes involves the specific intent to commit a murder, and the other occurs when a murderer acts ‘with a wanton disregard for human life,’ prosecutor John McCarthy explained.

The second type of second degree murder is what Beckwitt has been charged with. 

‘I’m not trying to characterize the conduct of the defendant. I’m just saying that the judge would instruct the jury that they would have to find that the conduct reflected a wanton disregard for human life.’  

Beckwitt’s home where Khafra died is located on Danbury Road in Rockville, near Bethesda.

Beckwitt's home where Khafra died is located on Danbury Road in Rockville, near Bethesda

Beckwitt’s home where Khafra died is located on Danbury Road in Rockville, near Bethesda



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