Mesac Damas
Family Annihilation Case
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Collier County, Florida
TIME PERIOD
2009
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
Mesac Damas, a 33-year-old chef, murdered his wife, Guerline Damas, and their five children—Meshach, Marven, Maven, Megan, and Morgan—on September 17, 2009, at their home in Collier County, Florida. The incident followed a heated argument about divorce, which escalated after Damas tracked his wife to her workplace earlier that day. After purchasing a knife and duct tape, he returned home and committed the murders, later claiming he could not recall the details of the events. Damas was arrested shortly after the incident and subsequently convicted of six counts of first-degree murder, receiving a death sentence. He remains incarcerated, with ongoing appeals regarding his conviction and sentence. Significant evidence includes Damas's own statements to law enforcement and the items purchased prior to the murders.
Mesac Damas is believed to have been influenced by a combination of personal and cultural factors, including his unstable upbringing and exposure to domestic violence. Some speculate that his violent tendencies were exacerbated by his suspicions of infidelity and the stress of potential divorce, which led to a frenzied argument before the murders. Additionally, there are theories that his dual cultural background, having been raised in a Christian environment but influenced by Haitian Voodoo, may have played a role in his psychological state at the time of the killings.
The Tragic Tale of Mesac Damas: A Family Annihilator's Descent
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Born on July 2, 1976, in Haiti, Mesac Damas grew up under the shadow of domestic violence and poverty. His early years were marked by turbulence, as he navigated a childhood fraught with instability. Raised in an Evangelical Christian household, his life took a sharp turn when his parents departed for the United States, leaving ten-year-old Mesac in the care of relatives who practiced Haitian Voodoo. This cultural shift left an indelible mark on the young boy.
At nineteen, Damas followed in his parents' footsteps and relocated to the United States, a move that began a new chapter in his life. By 2009, Damas, then 33, had established himself as a chef in Collier County, Florida, claiming to be "the best of the best" in his field. However, his personal life was far from stable. His marriage to Guerline Damas, which had lasted twelve years, was marred by conflict. In January of that year, Damas faced arrest for domestic violence battery, stemming from his suspicions of his wife's infidelity.
A Night of Violence
The sequence of tragic events began on the evening of September 16, 2009. During an argument at home, Guerline Damas broached the subject of divorce, sparking a frenzied reaction from her husband. "Divorce me? I'll [expletive] kill you," he reportedly threatened. This ominous promise lingered in the air as the night wore on.
The following morning, Mesac Damas's paranoia drove him to follow Guerline to her early shift at Publix, suspecting her fidelity. Another argument erupted when she discovered his surveillance. Throughout the day, Damas's anger festered, fueled by the previous night's conversation and voices he claimed were telling him his wife would leave him.
Unable to shake the turmoil, Damas clocked out of work early, citing a "pounding headache." He stopped at a local supermarket to purchase a Berkley fillet knife, duct tape, and a pack of gum—items that would soon become sinister tools of destruction.
That evening, the couple's final confrontation took place. Guerline asked Damas to sign immigration papers, reiterating her intent to leave. In a violent outburst, Damas bound her with rope, taped her mouth shut, and seized a knife. He later claimed a "visible spirit" aided him, blaming a hex placed by his mother-in-law or a coworker.
The brutality extended into the night, culminating in the murder of Guerline and their five children: Meshach, Marven, Maven, Megan, and Morgan. Damas remained in the house until the next morning, contemplating suicide before fleeing to Miami International Airport.
Discovery and Arrest
As the Damas family's absence grew concerning, Guerline's relatives reported them missing on September 19, 2009. The Collier County Sheriff's Office responded swiftly, conducting a welfare check at the family's residence. There, deputies found blood seeping from a closed door under the stairs, signaling a horrific scene within.
Breaking through the locked door, they discovered Guerline's lifeless body, face down in a pool of dried blood, her limbs bound with duct tape. The autopsy revealed blunt force trauma and sharp force injuries. The nightmare continued upstairs, where the children were found in their bedrooms, each bearing similar horrific injuries.
Meanwhile, Mesac Damas had already flown to Port Au Prince, Haiti, on September 18, 2009, ostensibly to bid farewell to his family. His flight was not an escape but a prelude to capture. By September 22, a warrant for his arrest was issued, and the following day, U.S. Marshals apprehended him in Haiti.
In a candid confession to authorities, Damas admitted to the murders, attributing his actions to "bad spirits," and expressed a desire for the death penalty, stating, "I know what I did was wrong. Bad spirits made me do it."
Legal Proceedings and Competency Issues
Back in Collier County, Damas's legal journey was fraught with delays and complications, primarily due to questions about his mental competency. His hyper-religious ideation and erratic behavior raised concerns, leading to multiple evaluations. Initially deemed competent in June 2011, his condition deteriorated, resulting in a March 2014 ruling of incompetence. He was committed to a mental health facility with the hope of restoration, which was achieved by October 2014.
Despite the restoration, Damas's behavior remained unpredictable. In custody, he adopted the moniker "C.O.G." (Child of God) and engaged in bizarre conduct, including refusing basic hygiene and defying jail protocols. His courtroom appearances were equally tumultuous, often marked by outbursts and non-compliance.
In a dramatic turn on June 23, 2017, Damas announced his desire to dismiss his attorneys and plead guilty, a plea he reiterated despite his erratic courtroom demeanor. By September 5, 2017, Damas formally pled guilty to six counts of first-degree premeditated murder.
Sentencing and Appeal
The final chapter in Mesac Damas's legal saga unfolded on October 27, 2017, when Judge Christine H. Greider sentenced him to six concurrent death sentences. His fate was sealed when the Florida Supreme Court upheld the sentences in January 2019, affirming the justice meted out for the heinous crimes that shattered an entire family.
Sources
For further reading, visit the original Wikipedia article.
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Domestic Violence Arrest
Mesac Damas arrested for domestic violence against his wife, Guerline.
Divorce Argument
Damas and Guerline argue about divorce, escalating tensions.
Murders Committed
Damas murders his wife and five children in their home.
Missing Persons Report
Family files a missing persons report for Guerline Damas and her children.
Arrest Warrant Issued
A warrant is issued for Mesac Damas for the murders.
Damas Arrested
Mesac Damas is apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Haiti.
Guilty Plea
Damas pleads guilty to six counts of first degree murder.
Sentencing
Damas is sentenced to death for the murders of his family.
Supreme Court Affirms Sentence
The Supreme Court affirms Damas's six death sentences.
Mesac Damas, a 33-year-old chef, murdered his wife, Guerline Damas, and their five children—Meshach, Marven, Maven, Megan, and Morgan—on September 17, 2009, at their home in Collier County, Florida. The incident followed a heated argument about divorce, which escalated after Damas tracked his wife to her workplace earlier that day. After purchasing a knife and duct tape, he returned home and committed the murders, later claiming he could not recall the details of the events. Damas was arrested shortly after the incident and subsequently convicted of six counts of first-degree murder, receiving a death sentence. He remains incarcerated, with ongoing appeals regarding his conviction and sentence. Significant evidence includes Damas's own statements to law enforcement and the items purchased prior to the murders.
Mesac Damas is believed to have been influenced by a combination of personal and cultural factors, including his unstable upbringing and exposure to domestic violence. Some speculate that his violent tendencies were exacerbated by his suspicions of infidelity and the stress of potential divorce, which led to a frenzied argument before the murders. Additionally, there are theories that his dual cultural background, having been raised in a Christian environment but influenced by Haitian Voodoo, may have played a role in his psychological state at the time of the killings.
The Tragic Tale of Mesac Damas: A Family Annihilator's Descent
Early Life and Troubled Beginnings
Born on July 2, 1976, in Haiti, Mesac Damas grew up under the shadow of domestic violence and poverty. His early years were marked by turbulence, as he navigated a childhood fraught with instability. Raised in an Evangelical Christian household, his life took a sharp turn when his parents departed for the United States, leaving ten-year-old Mesac in the care of relatives who practiced Haitian Voodoo. This cultural shift left an indelible mark on the young boy.
At nineteen, Damas followed in his parents' footsteps and relocated to the United States, a move that began a new chapter in his life. By 2009, Damas, then 33, had established himself as a chef in Collier County, Florida, claiming to be "the best of the best" in his field. However, his personal life was far from stable. His marriage to Guerline Damas, which had lasted twelve years, was marred by conflict. In January of that year, Damas faced arrest for domestic violence battery, stemming from his suspicions of his wife's infidelity.
A Night of Violence
The sequence of tragic events began on the evening of September 16, 2009. During an argument at home, Guerline Damas broached the subject of divorce, sparking a frenzied reaction from her husband. "Divorce me? I'll [expletive] kill you," he reportedly threatened. This ominous promise lingered in the air as the night wore on.
The following morning, Mesac Damas's paranoia drove him to follow Guerline to her early shift at Publix, suspecting her fidelity. Another argument erupted when she discovered his surveillance. Throughout the day, Damas's anger festered, fueled by the previous night's conversation and voices he claimed were telling him his wife would leave him.
Unable to shake the turmoil, Damas clocked out of work early, citing a "pounding headache." He stopped at a local supermarket to purchase a Berkley fillet knife, duct tape, and a pack of gum—items that would soon become sinister tools of destruction.
That evening, the couple's final confrontation took place. Guerline asked Damas to sign immigration papers, reiterating her intent to leave. In a violent outburst, Damas bound her with rope, taped her mouth shut, and seized a knife. He later claimed a "visible spirit" aided him, blaming a hex placed by his mother-in-law or a coworker.
The brutality extended into the night, culminating in the murder of Guerline and their five children: Meshach, Marven, Maven, Megan, and Morgan. Damas remained in the house until the next morning, contemplating suicide before fleeing to Miami International Airport.
Discovery and Arrest
As the Damas family's absence grew concerning, Guerline's relatives reported them missing on September 19, 2009. The Collier County Sheriff's Office responded swiftly, conducting a welfare check at the family's residence. There, deputies found blood seeping from a closed door under the stairs, signaling a horrific scene within.
Breaking through the locked door, they discovered Guerline's lifeless body, face down in a pool of dried blood, her limbs bound with duct tape. The autopsy revealed blunt force trauma and sharp force injuries. The nightmare continued upstairs, where the children were found in their bedrooms, each bearing similar horrific injuries.
Meanwhile, Mesac Damas had already flown to Port Au Prince, Haiti, on September 18, 2009, ostensibly to bid farewell to his family. His flight was not an escape but a prelude to capture. By September 22, a warrant for his arrest was issued, and the following day, U.S. Marshals apprehended him in Haiti.
In a candid confession to authorities, Damas admitted to the murders, attributing his actions to "bad spirits," and expressed a desire for the death penalty, stating, "I know what I did was wrong. Bad spirits made me do it."
Legal Proceedings and Competency Issues
Back in Collier County, Damas's legal journey was fraught with delays and complications, primarily due to questions about his mental competency. His hyper-religious ideation and erratic behavior raised concerns, leading to multiple evaluations. Initially deemed competent in June 2011, his condition deteriorated, resulting in a March 2014 ruling of incompetence. He was committed to a mental health facility with the hope of restoration, which was achieved by October 2014.
Despite the restoration, Damas's behavior remained unpredictable. In custody, he adopted the moniker "C.O.G." (Child of God) and engaged in bizarre conduct, including refusing basic hygiene and defying jail protocols. His courtroom appearances were equally tumultuous, often marked by outbursts and non-compliance.
In a dramatic turn on June 23, 2017, Damas announced his desire to dismiss his attorneys and plead guilty, a plea he reiterated despite his erratic courtroom demeanor. By September 5, 2017, Damas formally pled guilty to six counts of first-degree premeditated murder.
Sentencing and Appeal
The final chapter in Mesac Damas's legal saga unfolded on October 27, 2017, when Judge Christine H. Greider sentenced him to six concurrent death sentences. His fate was sealed when the Florida Supreme Court upheld the sentences in January 2019, affirming the justice meted out for the heinous crimes that shattered an entire family.
Sources
For further reading, visit the original Wikipedia article.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Domestic Violence Arrest
Mesac Damas arrested for domestic violence against his wife, Guerline.
Divorce Argument
Damas and Guerline argue about divorce, escalating tensions.
Murders Committed
Damas murders his wife and five children in their home.
Missing Persons Report
Family files a missing persons report for Guerline Damas and her children.
Arrest Warrant Issued
A warrant is issued for Mesac Damas for the murders.
Damas Arrested
Mesac Damas is apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Haiti.
Guilty Plea
Damas pleads guilty to six counts of first degree murder.
Sentencing
Damas is sentenced to death for the murders of his family.
Supreme Court Affirms Sentence
The Supreme Court affirms Damas's six death sentences.