Man Accused of Stealing Dallas Gay Man's Identity Confesses to Killing

A man accused of stealing the identity of a gay Dallas man, and then selling his house, has confessed to killing the victim, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Christopher Brian Colbert, 43, was arrested in Los Angeles earlier this month after Dallas police issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the sale of Ronald Shumway's home. After his arrest, authorities interviewed Colbert in L.A. about Shumway's death. After missing for nearly a year, the 57-year-old man's remains were found in a plastic bag beneath a concrete slab in the backyard of the house last September.

Shumway was last seen alive in April but his signature appeared on a June 22 deed authorizing the sale of his home.

The newspaper reports Colbert initially denied being involved with Shumway's death but his story changed after speaking with Dallas homicide detective Esteban Montenegro, who asked Colbert why he had been posing as Shumway.

Colbert reportedly explained that he once lived with Shumway and "went back to being friends" after he moved out of the house, an arrest warrant affidavit reads. The duo argued one day while Shumway was allegedly drinking and Colbert claims Shumway tried to strangle him. The men struggled but Colbert strangled Shumway. He told police he bought cement, adding he may have tied up Shumway but couldn't remember because "he blacked out from fear and shock," according to warrant obtained by the Dallas Morning News.

A autopsy report says Shumway's hands and feet were bound with neckties and there was evidence that he had been strangled.

Colbert told cops he "just made a thing around the house" out of cement and that's where he put Shumway's body, the warrant reads.

Colbert allegedly posed as Shumway, who was a Dallas Area Rapid Transit driver, when he met a broker in May to evaluate Shumway's home. The Dallas Morning News reports police records show Colbert signed a $145,000 contract to sell Shumway's house and put his photograph on Shumway's license, which was faxed to Chicago Title Company for the sale of the home.

After receiving the money Colbert allegedly deposited $109,000 into his bank account and withdrew all the money in Shumway's bank account, according to records.

Colbert was charged with murder, securing execution of a document by deception and tampering with a government record. Towleroad reports he is being held on a $450,000 bond and is still in L.A. jail awaiting extradition to Dallas.