Warrant: Man accused of stabbing wife to death was fan of 'American Psycho'

RALEIGH, N.C. — Newly unsealed search warrants show that a North Carolina man charged in his wife's stabbing death was fascinated with the serial killer main character of the movie "American Psycho."

[Autopsy: 123 wounds on NC woman police say killed by husband]

Matthew Phelps is charged with first-degree murder in the September death of his wife, 29-year-old Lauren Phelps, who was stabbed or slashed 123 times. He told a 911 operator he took too much cold medicine and woke up with blood all over him.

WRAL-TV reports the 27-year-old posted movie scenes and images where he dressed as the main character on Instagram. A warrant application says he expressed interest in "what it would be like to kill someone" to a friend.

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The unsealed warrants also indicate the victim was concerned over the suspect's spending habits and was preparing to end the relationship.

Associated Press