Dexter-Obsessed Teen Jailed for Murdering and Dismembering Girlfriend

Steven Miles reportedly told family a voice in his head told him to commit horrific act

By Rebecca Macatee Oct 03, 2014 7:57 PMTags
DexterRandy Tepper/Showtime

Fandom gone too far can be deadly.

Steven Miles, a 17-year-old Dexter-obsessed Brit, was given a life sentence after admitting to murdering his 17-year-old girlfriend Elizabeth Thomas in January, per the BBC.

According to the site, Miles, who had been diagnosed as having an autistic syndrome, told his family a voice in his head named Ed told him to kill someone. He reportedly used tools from his father's "tree surgery business" to cut up his girlfriend's body. Per the U.K.'s Guardian, he wrapped Thomas' dismembered limbs "in clingfilm" (similar to plastic wrap in the U.S.) and then placed them in "bin bags" (garbage bags).

During the sentencing, the court heard about Miles' "fascination with horror films and the macabre," and how he reportedly "wanted to emulate the actions of Dexter," the murderous lead character, played by Michael C. Hall, of the Showtime series that aired from 2006 to 2013.

Per the Guardian, Judge Christoph Critchlow told Miles, "This is a case of the utmost gravity, the horrific features of which are rarely heard in any court. Nothing this court can say or do, no sentence this court can impose can alleviate the pain suffered by Elizabeth Thomas's family for a death in such a terrible manner. There must be a life sentence."

"You decided, at the age of 16, you had to kill somebody, you chose Elizabeth Thomas, who tragically befriended you and who had stood up for you when people described you as different," the judge continued. "It's chilling to read that you described her on occasion as your project."

The defense attorney representing Miles described the murder as "a truly gruesome killing ripped from the pages of a hit TV script," adding, "The evidence points to the defendant trying to emulate the actions of the character Dexter, who he idolised. The case is a sad testament to the perils of how young people can become entrenched in modern TV blockbusters involving violence which shockingly led to a copycat killing in real life."

This is not the first copycat killing allegedly drawing inspiration from the show, something Dexter producer Melissa Rosenberg wanted to avoid. Per the Vancouver Sun, Rosenberg said there was never any intent to "glorify" Dexter's killings, "and we've been very careful not to."

"Every time you think you're identifying with Dexter and rooting for him, for us it's about turning that back on you and saying: 'You may think that he's doing good, but he's a monster," she said. "He's killing because he's a monster.'"