A Phoenix woman has been charged with second-degree murder after police say she intentionally ran over a man with an SUV following a date that allegedly turned confrontational when he realized he had been “catfished.”
Authorities identified the suspect as 30-year-old Mikela Antresa Bahe. The victim, 52-year-old Norris L. Taft, died after being struck in the parking lot of a Phoenix apartment complex on May 3, according to investigators.
Police say the two met through the dating app MocoSpace and agreed to meet in person earlier that day.
According to court documents, Taft quickly became uncomfortable during the encounter and allegedly texted family members stating that Bahe did not resemble the photos used on her dating profile.
Investigators say Taft told relatives he planned to end the date early and take Bahe home.
Court records indicate the pair spent part of the afternoon together visiting local businesses, including a dispensary, before returning to Taft’s apartment complex later that evening.
Authorities believe an argument broke out in the parking lot shortly afterward.
Surveillance footage reviewed by police reportedly shows Taft standing near his SUV while a woman believed to be Bahe entered the driver’s seat.
Investigators allege the vehicle accelerated toward Taft, striking him and dragging him beneath the SUV before leaving the scene.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after the incident and found Taft suffering from critical injuries.
He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
Police say the SUV involved in the incident belonged to Taft and was allegedly taken from the scene after the collision.
Investigators later tracked Bahe using surveillance footage and transaction records from locations visited earlier in the day.
Authorities eventually located Bahe at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where they say she was attempting to board transportation headed toward northern Arizona. She was taken into custody without incident.
During questioning, investigators say Bahe admitted she had spent time with Taft that day but claimed she could not remember the events surrounding the fatal incident.
According to police reports, she continued to deny recollection even after detectives confronted her with surveillance footage.
Bahe now faces multiple charges, including:
Second-degree murder
Theft of means of transportation
Leaving the scene of a fatal accident
The case has generated widespread online attention due to its connection to dating apps and alleged online deception.
Discussions surrounding the incident have spread across social media platforms, with many users debating issues related to identity misrepresentation, personal safety, and violence connected to online dating encounters.
Authorities have not announced a trial date, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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