Mich. man out on bond allegedly killed girlfriend after strangling, torturing, and sexually assaulting her

HARPER WOODS, Mich. (TCD) -- A 23-year-old man who was released on bond for the alleged torture and sexual assault of his girlfriend stands accused of killing her and his stepfather.

According to a news release from Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, on June 2 shortly before 7:30 a.m., Detroit police officers responded to a home in the 13000 block of Kilbourne Avenue to a report of domestic assault. Worthy said Jonathan Welch allegedly woke up his 22-year-old live-in girlfriend by sexually assaulting her at 3 a.m. He reportedly ordered her to provide him with her cellphone password and then strangled her with an extension cord when she refused.

Worthy alleges that Welch poured gasoline on his girlfriend’s body, "burned her arms and legs with a metal spatula, and attempted to sexually assault her with a large pole." Worthy added that "he also beat her with his belt and threatened her with a drill."

His girlfriend, later identified as Zlayiah Frazier, was allegedly able to escape the home and run to a neighbor’s house and call 911. Welch reportedly followed her and kicked the neighbors’ door. According to Worthy, Welch left the location before officers arrived at the scene. He was reportedly found and arrested at approximately 11:24 a.m. that day.

Worthy announced Welch was charged with torture, first-degree home invasion harmful devised –– use/possession causing injury, third-degree criminal sexual conduct, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and three counts of felonious assault.

On June 12, Welch was reportedly arraigned and received a $100,000 bond. He was ordered not to contact Frazier, Worthy said.

On Friday, July 8, Welch was bonded out of Wayne County Jail through a bail bond his mother was able to obtain, WDIV-TV reports. Two days after Welch’s release, on Sunday, July 10, Harper Woods police officers reportedly responded to a home near Kenosha and Sanilac streets to a report of someone being held inside.

At the scene, Welch was allegedly barricaded inside the residence, and his mother, who he had reportedly stabbed, was able to escape. Welch’s mother was reportedly transported to the hospital with severe injuries.

According to WDIV, neighbors told authorities they witnessed Welch drop a baby out of a window. During a standoff, shots were reportedly fired from inside the home toward officers. Additionally, the house was allegedly set on fire.

Welch eventually surrendered and was taken into custody after seven hours, WDIV reports.

Inside the home, authorities reportedly discovered the bodies of Frazier and Welch’s stepfather. Investigators believe Welch killed his girlfriend less than three days after his release from jail, according to WDIV.

Welch was booked into Wayne County a second time on July 14 on charges of assault with intent to murder and first-degree premeditated murder, records show. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 20.

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