A 47-year-old man was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, after confessing to 911 that he had murdered and dismembered his girlfriend with a chainsaw, claiming the victim was “possessed,” authorities reported.

The suspect, identified as Jeffrey Rael, was found by police armed with a hammer and a cross after making an emergency call before dawn on Friday.

When officers entered the home, they found a blood-covered chainsaw in the kitchen, next to the mutilated remains of the victim, 31-year-old Paxton Wallace. According to forensic reports, the body had multiple stab wounds.

The Disturbing Confession

According to court documents obtained by AZ Family, Rael called 911 around 3:40 a.m. and told the operator that he “had to kill her because she was possessed.”

Police took Rael to a hospital before booking him into the Maricopa County Jail, where he faces first-degree murder charges. His bail was set at one million dollars.

Authorities are still investigating the exact motive for the crime and have not revealed whether Rael had a history of mental illness.

Pain and disbelief in the family

The victim's family expressed their shock and sadness at what happened.

“It's crazy. We spent vacations with him. We shared our home with him for many years,” Alida Wallace, the victim's sister, told local news outlet AZ Family. “We had so many precious moments with him before this, and now they're all overshadowed.”

Alida explained that her sister was trying to end the relationship, but fears that Paxton was suffering more than he let on.

“Nobody wants to admit that someone who told him they loved him is hurting him,” she added.