Man Who Sought to 'Hunt Homeless People' Indicted in Stabbing and Dismemberment of Unhoused Victim
A Kentucky man who allegedly confessed to wanting to “hunt homeless people” has been indicted in connection with the brutal killing and dismemberment of an unhoused individual—an attack that investigators say bore satanic markings and echoes of a chilling online threat.
Michael Hristov, 21, was fatally shot by Louisville police on May 14, 2025, after a standoff at his home, just one day after a grand jury indicted him on charges of murder, abuse of a corpse, and assault. The charges stem from the Dec. 24, 2025 death of Michael Howard, an unhoused man whose body was found two days later in a Louisville homeless encampment.
According to Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Deputy Chief Emily McKinney, Howard was found nude, with satanic symbols carved into his skin. His body had been dismembered—his genitals and eight of his toes severed, seven of which were left near his remains. Investigators later linked Hristov to the killing through DNA evidence found on a bloodstained backpack recovered from his home.
The case took a disturbing turn when authorities traced a Reddit post from Dec. 21, 2025—three days before the murder—that warned of a serial killer targeting homeless people and leaving satanic symbols at crime scenes. That post was made using Hristov's IP address, police said. An iCloud account tied to him also contained an image of a severed toe.
McKinney described Hristov as having a long-standing fascination with serial killers and mass shooters, as well as a history of animal cruelty and run-ins with law enforcement. “He made statements about wanting to hunt homeless people,” she said during a May 27 press conference. The comment has raised broader concerns about the vulnerability of unhoused populations, who advocates say are disproportionately targeted in violent crimes.
The investigation accelerated after a nonfatal stabbing on Christmas Day left another unhoused man injured. Surveillance footage helped identify Hristov as a suspect. He was indicted on May 13, and the next day police and a SWAT team arrived at his residence to execute the warrant. Hristov opened fire from inside, then called 911 to say he was armed and wanted officers to kill him, according to LMPD. After a 20-minute standoff, he emerged wearing a helmet and ballistic vest, and was shot once by Officer Beau Gadegaard when he refused to drop his weapon.
The LMPD continues to investigate whether Hristov was connected to other attacks on homeless individuals. The case has reignited calls for better protection of unhoused communities and more robust mental health interventions for those exhibiting violent ideation.
PEOPLE reached out to the Louisville Metro Police Department for additional comment.