Christopher Behal is charged with first-degree murder in the March 2024 death of 31-year-old Taylor Escontrias-McKee. Behal also faces felony charges of assault while participating in a felony - serious injury and going armed with intent; along with aggravated misdemeanor charges of domestic abuse assault with intent to inflict serious injury - first offense, domestic abuse assault display or use of a weapon - first offense, and operating while under the influence, second offense. On March 14, 2024 Scott County Sheriff's Office responded to a crash with injury. Behal was identified as the driver of the 2013 silver Chevrolet Impala that apparently struck a light pole. Behal was sent to the hospital and while he was at the hospital, he requested a welfare check of his girlfriend, saying he had 'visions of violence'. During the investigation that followed deputies found the body of Behal's girlfriend 31-year-old Taylor Escontrias-McKee. They also found a bloody bat and screwdriver and an empty vodka bottle. Behal and Escontrias-McKee were in a domestic relationship living together at the time of the murder. Behal initially claimed Escontrias-McKee came at him with a knife and he used the bat for self defense. But Behal later admitted to hitting her with the bat then stabbing her in the neck to 'put her out of her misery'. Behal stabbed Escontrias-McKee 31 times.