Man accused of killing and cannibalizing Kevin Bacon arraigned, heading to trial

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, Mich. (WNEM) - Warning--potentially graphic information ahead.

The man accused of killing a Swartz Creek man and cannibalizing parts of his body has been arraigned.

Mark Latunski, 51, was deemed mentally fit for trial earlier this month after being treated in a Ypsilanti psychiatric hospital for several months. He was arraigned on Oct. 23 on murder and mutilation charges in the December death of 25-year-old Kevin Bacon. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

In December, Latunski admitted to police he killed Kevin Bacon and ate part of his body, and on Friday grisly details emerged about what happened in his home that night.

Mark Latunski, 51, was deemed mentally fit for trial earlier this month after being treated in a Ypsilanti psychiatric hospital for several months.

During his hearing on Oct. 23, Michigan State Police Trooper Robert Viviano described finding Bacon’s body in Latunski’s basement. He described finding a disguised room, opening the door, and finding Bacon’s body.

“I immediately pulled my head back and exclaimed, on my God, oh my God. That’s when Officer Wertz asked what was wrong and I told him to look,” Viviano testified.

He also said when he arrived at Latunski’s home, Latunski opened the door shirtless and in a brown leather kilt.

Michigan State Police Det. Sgt. James Moore also took to the stand and described the room Bacon was found in. He said there were chains and sex toys, and Bacon was found hanging by his feet, with an open trap door beneath him.

Moore went on to describe what Latunski told him regarding Bacon’s death. Latunski said Bacon had been suicidal in the past, and he was going to help Bacon “disappear.” “They were laying on the ground. Latunski said Bacon explained how he had been suicidal in the past. The discussion began about how he could make Bacon’s body disappear.” Latunski said he stabbed Bacon in the back of the neck, but when he realized Bacon wasn’t dead, he slit his throat because he didn’t want Bacon to suffer.

Latunski said he later ate part of Bacon’s body. “He went upstairs, he saw, that in his words, ‘it was a new moon.’ Latunski said he normally eats Rocky Mountain oysters and said instead of eating the ones in his freezer, he decided to use the testicles of Kevin Bacon,” Moore testified. Latunski even took a photo, that was submitted to evidence.

A forensic analyst found Bacon’s DNA in the skillet, and Latunski’s on the handle.

Detective Moore also revealed to the courtroom the suspected murder weapon. “I’m holding a knife located in a dresser drawer of Mark Latunski’s bedroom.”

The forensic analyst found a DNA match to Kevin Bacon and Latunski’s DNA on the handle. “470 trillion times more likely the DNA on the swabs from the handle of the knife came from Mark Latunski,” testified Rebecca Ray with the State Police forensic lab.

Dr. Patrick Hansma, a forensic pathologist, said Bacon’s cause of death was blood loss due to sharp force injuries to the neck.

Toxicology reports showed an anti-depressant in Bacon’s bloodstream. Latunski’s public defender, Douglas Corwin says Latunski was assisting Bacon in committing suicide.

“There is evidence, but the court said it wasn’t relevant. There is evidence of an anti-depressant,” Corwin said.

Moore also described Grindr messages between Bacon and Latunski. In one message, Bacon looked for assurances he would be safe after an encounter between the two.

There was also testimony by Moore who said Latunski claimed his name was a stolen identity, and his real name was Edgar Thomas Hill. Moore also said Latunski used the name Olykos, a vanity name used on a site called Rent Men.

Latunski is scheduled to be back in court on Oct. 30.