Introduction to the Case
A man was arrested last month after he allegedly fatally stabbed and beat a man before burying him in a shallow grave in Denton County, according to an arrest-warrant affidavit obtained Monday from Fort Worth police by The Dallas Morning News. Alexander James Nicholas, 23, had been expected to drop John Richardson, 24, off at home after they both attended a party together on Nov. 30.
The Initial Investigation
But Richardson was reported missing on Dec. 1 by his roommate, who along with Richardson’s girlfriend and others who attended the same party, had not seen or heard from him since, the affidavit said. The case was initially assigned to the missing person’s unit, but officers suspected foul play and re-classified it as a homicide case on Dec. 10, the affidavit said.
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Multiple Interviews and Accounts
Multiple interviews conducted by homicide detectives showed that Nicholas gave different accounts as to where he dropped Richardson off and what happened after the party. Nicholas initially said during a phone interview that he had gotten into an argument with Richardson before dropping him off between Alliance Boulevard and a nearby Buccee’s, according to the affidavit.
Witness Testimony
A witness, who also attended the party, told officers that Nicholas had shown everyone at the party a black and silver handgun Nicholas allegedly had that night. A few days after the party, Nicholas allegedly told the witness that Richardson “wouldn’t be coming around anymore.” When asked what he meant, Nicholas allegedly formed the shape of a gun with his finger and said “you know what I mean,” the affidavit said. When asked if he killed Richardson, the witness said Nicholas shook his head yes, stating, “if you want to know what happened, we can go into the woods and turn our phones off,” the affidavit said.
Previous Arrests and Evidence
Officers learned that Nicholas had been arrested in October 2025 by Justin police with a handgun matching what witnesses at the party saw. The car described in the prior arrest also matched what witnesses saw Nicholas leaving in that night, a red 2012 Chevy Cruze, according to the affidavit. The affidavit did not state why Nicholas was arrested in Justin.
Further Investigation and Interviews
Nicholas agreed to be interviewed by police again on Dec. 15, the affidavit said, where he denied having any involvement in Richardson’s disappearance. He said Richardson initially agreed to go with Nicholas to a friend’s house before being dropped off and then changed his mind, saying he would take an Uber instead. Nicholas said he dropped Richardson off on the northbound service road of Interstate 35 Freeway between Alliance Boulevard and Eagle Parkway, according to the affidavit. Investigators determined that the location was miles away from any businesses that would provide Wi-Fi or be open to the public and that Richardson likely would not have been able to call an Uber there.
Digital Forensic Report and Cell Phone Records
On Dec. 18, investigators received a digital forensic report from Nicholas’ phone. The report showed Nicholas’ phone was shut off around 1:55 a.m. on Dec. 1 in a vacant field and turned back on almost four hours later in Fort Worth, the affidavit said. On Dec. 22, officers received AT&T cell phone records for Richardson’s phone, the affidavit said. Richardson’s phone records showed its last location was in the same cell tower coverage area as the wooded area where Nicholas’s phone was during those hours.
Discovery of the Body and Arrest
Fort Worth‘s police Homicide Unit conducted a search on Dec. 22 within the wooded area where both devices had been located last and found a body buried in a shallow grave, the affidavit said. The body was confirmed to be Richardson by the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office on Dec. 23. The medical examiner noted that Richardson had sustained multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma of the head. Nicholas was booked into the Tarrant County jail on Dec. 24, and as of Monday, he remains there with a bail amount set at $300,000, according to jail records. He faces one murder charge.
Conclusion
Police have not said publicly what led to the fatal attack. The investigation is ongoing, and more information may be released as it becomes available. The case is a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and the use of digital forensic evidence in solving crimes.
FAQs
Q: What was the cause of John Richardson’s death?
A: The medical examiner noted that Richardson had sustained multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma of the head.
Q: Where was the body found?
A: The body was found in a wooded area in Denton County, buried in a shallow grave.
Q: What was the bail amount set for Alexander James Nicholas?
A: The bail amount was set at $300,000.
Q: What charge does Nicholas face?
A: Nicholas faces one murder charge.
Q: What was the significance of the digital forensic report from Nicholas’ phone?
A: The report showed that Nicholas’ phone was shut off around 1:55 a.m. on Dec. 1 in a vacant field and turned back on almost four hours later in Fort Worth, which helped investigators piece together the events of the crime.
Q: What was the role of the witness in the investigation?
A: The witness provided important testimony about Nicholas’ actions and statements after the party, which helped investigators build a case against him.
