A 15-year-old’s desperate living situation turned into a nightmare when their cash-paying roommate revealed a horrifying secret. What happened next will leave you speechless.
The Original Post That Has Reddit REELING:
In a post that’s sending shockwaves through Reddit’s r/stories community, user Vinchenso_ shared a harrowing tale that reads like a true crime documentary—except it’s terrifyingly real. Here’s what they wrote:
“In 2020 I was 15, living with my brother, in a shitty run down apartment. (My mom kicked me out the year before.) I had no school due to my charter school not doing an online option, and I was just let go from my job because of the pandemic.
My brother and I are struggling to make ends meet with just his income, until he meets this guy named Aaron at a bonfire party. Aaron needed a place to stay, and promised to pay in cash every month. So it was settled, and he moved in 2 days later.
Don’t get me wrong, Aaron was weird. He wouldn’t really shower, was really possessive about his things, would go on rants about wanting to kill cops, and would constantly order from Pizza Hut like everyday. 2 times a day. But he was never late with rent, and he was helping me keep a roof over my head, so I ignored it.
One morning I go to the kitchen to make some toast. I pull the butter out of fridge, and before I can even turn around I feel something hit the back of my head. I spin around to see Aaron yelling, ‘That’s my fucking butter!’ I drop the butter on the table, but he straight up back hands me in the face.
I’m seeing stars at this point, and this grown ass man is going on a rant about how I never contribute to the bills, and I’m always eating his food. He finally calms down after 20 mins of ranting, hands me the butter, and apologizes.
Immediately I tell my brother, who says he’ll take care of it. The next week we’re all sitting in the living room, when Aaron out of the blue says, ‘Y’know [brothers name] I thought about shooting you the other day when you told me I have to be nicer to [my name]. Then you left, and I had time to think about it. I’m so proud of my self.’
My brother asked him if he even had a gun, to which Aaron responds, ‘I might. It’s none of your business.’”
The Red Flags Were EVERYWHERE—But Desperation Made Them Ignore It
Reading this story, you might be screaming at your screen: “HOW DID THEY NOT SEE THIS COMING?!” But here’s the gut-wrenching reality—when you’re 15 years old, kicked out by your own mother, and struggling to survive during a pandemic, you don’t have the luxury of being picky about who helps pay the rent.
Psychologists note that psychopathy is characterized by “traits such as lack of empathy, superficial charm, impulsivity, and manipulativeness”—and Aaron checked nearly every box. His possessiveness over his belongings? Classic controlling behavior. The rants about killing cops? Experts identify “threats of violence” as major red flags in potentially dangerous individuals.
But perhaps most chilling was Aaron’s casual admission about contemplating murder. According to security experts, “mass attackers rarely hide all warning signs of potential violence or conflict ahead of a confrontation. Instead, many present red flags or proximal warning behaviors that together form patterns of risk.”
The story continues with Aaron going on a meth binge and jumping out of a second-story window—refusing to go to the hospital afterward. At this point, the siblings had completely distanced themselves from their increasingly unstable roommate.
The $15 Decision That Changed EVERYTHING
Then came the moment that would expose Aaron’s darkest secret. Desperate for money, the teen agreed to let Aaron borrow their $700 car for just $15.
He never came back.
Ten hours turned into a week of radio silence. The car—and Aaron—had vanished. Then came the call that would reveal the horrifying truth: South Carolina state police had the vehicle impounded. Aaron had been pulled over for a broken tail light, panicked, and fled from police—busting all four tires in the process before being captured.
The Truth That Will Make Your Blood Run Cold
Here’s where this story goes from bad to absolutely TERRIFYING:
Aaron had a warrant out for MURDER.
That’s right—the man who had been living with a 15-year-old child, who had violently assaulted them over butter, who had casually mentioned thinking about shooting their brother, was a FUGITIVE WANTED FOR KILLING HIS OWN COUSIN.
According to the post, Aaron had shot his cousin in the head a year prior over a dice game and a girl. He fled Florida and had been slowly making his way north, evading police the entire time. Law enforcement experts note that “some of the country’s most wanted criminals — murderers, rapists, armed robbers — often move to New York City, where they hide in plain sight”—and Aaron had been doing exactly that in their apartment.
As crime experts explain, “it is all to easy for criminals to hide in plain sight, because we take normal behavior, and even variations of normal behavior, at face value.”
Reddit’s Reaction: OUTRAGE and Disbelief
The Reddit community absolutely EXPLODED over this story, with hundreds of users sharing their shock and concern. Let’s look at some of the most powerful responses:
User hiker201 cut straight to the point:
“You’re lucky you’re not dead, or seriously injured.”
This comment received massive upvotes because it speaks to the terrifying reality: this teen was living with a murderer who had already proven he was willing to kill. The fact that they survived is nothing short of miraculous.
User qiterite delivered a harsh but necessary truth:
“You and your brother dodged a bullet. But seriously now that you’ve had this experience hopefully you’ll see the seriousness ahead of time. Paid bills don’t mean anything when you’re dead.”
The OP responded with an update that brought some relief to worried readers:
“Yeah we were both broke at the time, and no where would hire a 15 year old during a pandemic. Now we’re both in a better situation. He’s got 2 kids, a gf, and a nice house. I’m renting a room with my gf.”
User PastaPuss captured what everyone was thinking:
“Damn dude, that’s some rattling stuff. I honestly cannot imagine the vibe of living with a literal killer.”
User ricvallejo added some dark humor to cope with the horror:
“Moral of the story: never let a sketchy dude borrow your car with all tail lights functional.”
But perhaps the most haunting comment came from user caitejane310, who shared their own chilling connection to violence:
“I knew a guy who shot his niece in the head over 3 bags of heroin. They were empty and she went back to confront him and he shot her. She didn’t even die right away but was on life support for a few weeks before she passed. He had also killed 2 or 3 people with a vehicle and barely did any time at all.”
This comment serves as a stark reminder that these stories aren’t isolated incidents—violent criminals often slip through the cracks of the justice system, putting innocent people at risk.
The Psychology of Living With Danger
Dr. Danielle Forshee, a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker, defines a toxic person as “someone who violates personal boundaries physically, emotionally, or psychologically”—and Aaron violated every single one.
Research on roommate relationships reveals disturbing findings: “Some participants felt unsafe around their roommates because dangerous objects were kept in the room”—and Aaron had casually mentioned possibly having a gun.
The impact on the teen’s wellbeing cannot be overstated. Studies show that negative roommate situations can severely affect students, with research participants reporting “I started to make changes and so I wore headphones, I took sleeping pills to try and not wakeup” due to anxiety and fear in their own homes.
The Fugitive Next Door: A Growing Concern
Law enforcement reports indicate that “Martinez is just one of hundreds of thousands of potentially dangerous fugitives from around the country who come to New York to hide out”—and this isn’t just a New York problem. Fugitives blend into communities across America, becoming roommates, neighbors, and coworkers.
In one remarkable case, a U.S. Marshal noted about a fugitive who lived undetected for decades: “He was a good family man, good father, good husband, good friend, pro golfer – he seemed to be well-liked by everybody. He pretty much lived the life of a perfect fugitive on the run.”
The terrifying takeaway? Your roommate, neighbor, or friendly acquaintance could be hiding a deadly past.
Warning Signs You Should NEVER Ignore
Based on this harrowing story and expert analysis, here are the red flags that should send you running:
- Extreme possessiveness over belongings – Experts warn that “controlling behavior” is often explained away as “concern” but escalates over time
- Violent outbursts over minor issues – Hitting someone over butter is NOT normal
- Casual mentions of violence – If someone talks about shooting people, BELIEVE THEM
- Refusal to seek medical help after serious injury – Aaron’s refusal to go to the hospital after jumping from a second story is a massive red flag
- Paying only in cash – While not always suspicious, combined with other factors, it can indicate someone hiding their identity
- Substance abuse coupled with erratic behavior – The meth binge was the final warning sign
The Aftermath: A Cautionary Tale
The OP never saw their car again—a small price to pay for surviving an encounter with a murderer. But the psychological scars? Those last forever.
User amboomernotkaren asked the question many readers were thinking:
“So glad you are ok and sorry about the car and WTF is wrong with your mom.”
This highlights another tragic element of the story: a 15-year-old was in this situation because their own mother had kicked them out. The vulnerability of youth homelessness created the perfect storm for this dangerous situation.
User Wumutissunshinesmile summed it up perfectly:
“Damn. That is one of the craziest things I ever read. I’m glad you’re okay.”
The Bottom Line: Trust Your Gut
Mental health experts emphasize: “It’s essential to stay observant and trust your instincts when something feels off. By understanding the signs of psychopathy and recognizing potential red flags you can navigate your living situation more effectively.”
This story serves as a chilling reminder that desperation can cloud judgment, but survival instincts exist for a reason. The teen and their brother survived because they eventually recognized the danger and distanced themselves—but it could have ended very differently.
The most haunting part? Aaron is now back in custody in Florida, facing murder charges. But for months, he lived as a regular roommate, ordering Pizza Hut twice a day, while hiding the fact that he’d shot someone in the head.
How many other “Aarons” are out there, hiding in plain sight?
Have you ever had a roommate experience that gave you bad vibes? Share your story in the comments below. And please, if you’re in a living situation that feels unsafe, reach out to local resources for help. Your life is worth more than rent money.
UPDATE: The OP has confirmed they and their brother are now in much better living situations, proving that even the darkest chapters can lead to better days. Stay safe out there, everyone.
What do YOU think? Was the brother wrong for letting Aaron move in? Should the teen have reported the assault to police immediately? Let us know in the comments!
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