Betrayal by Blood: The East Ridge Decapitation
A Father’s Final Visit
In the suburban calm of East Ridge, Tennessee, a routine family evening took a sudden and horrific turn. In mid-December 2024, neighbors on Greenslake Road were drawn outside by the sight of a young man staggering through a yard, drenched in blood. The man was later identified as Caleb Disterdick, twenty-six years old, visibly injured and panicked. He cried out for help, claiming his father and someone else were trying to kill him. Alarmed, a neighbor immediately called for emergency assistance.
When police arrived, they found Caleb outside the home, bleeding from a wound on his leg and wrapped in shock. According to officers, he repeatedly stated that he had killed his father. Moments later, law enforcement entered the residence and encountered a scene that would haunt everyone involved. Inside the living room lay a man face down on the floor, deceased. He was later identified as Jason “Chris” Disterdick, Caleb’s father. The violence was extreme. Chris had been decapitated, and a large kitchen knife was embedded in the back of his neck. Blood was present throughout the home, evidence of a prolonged and violent struggle.
As paramedics treated Caleb, he made another disturbing statement, claiming he had to “protect the kids,” despite no children being present at the scene. By the end of the night, the quiet residential street was sealed with police tape, neighbors stood in disbelief, and a father was dead at the hands of his own son. What initially appeared to be a call for help had revealed a deeply disturbing family tragedy.
Jason “Chris” Disterdick: The Man at the Center
Chris Disterdick was fifty-two years old and described by those who knew him as a devoted father and family man. He had traveled from Arkansas to Tennessee to check on his adult son and spend time together during the holiday season. Friends and relatives later recalled him as someone who consistently showed up for the people he loved, often putting their needs before his own.
In the year leading up to his death, Chris had faced health challenges, including recovery from a serious stroke that affected his mobility. Despite this, he remained closely connected to his family and was actively involved in their lives. His visit to East Ridge was reportedly motivated by concern for Caleb’s well-being. Those close to the family believed Chris was trying to help his son stabilize his life, not knowing the visit would end in unimaginable violence.
Chris’s death sent shockwaves through both his family and the wider community. Memorial efforts quickly followed, as loved ones struggled to reconcile the man they knew with the brutal circumstances of his death. For many, the most haunting question remained how a father who came to help could meet such a violent end.
How the Case Unraveled
In the hours following the killing, investigators worked through the night to document the scene. Blood trails were mapped from the yard into the home, and a pile of blood-soaked clothing was recovered outside. Inside, detectives noted overturned furniture and signs of a sustained altercation. The knife believed to have caused the fatal injuries was recovered at the scene.
Caleb was transported for medical evaluation before being taken into custody. According to investigators, he continued to make incriminating statements during this period, including direct admissions that he had killed his father. These statements became central to the prosecution’s case as it moved through the legal system.
In the weeks that followed, Caleb appeared in court on criminal homicide charges. As the investigation progressed, prosecutors presented evidence to a grand jury. The severity of the injuries and the condition of the crime scene played a major role in how the case advanced. By spring of 2025, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Caleb with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Caleb was released on a high bond posted by family members. Court proceedings continued through the year, with hearings focused on procedural matters and trial scheduling. By mid-2025, a judge set the case for a jury trial in July 2026, leaving the family and community waiting years for answers.
What Authorities Have Officially Confirmed
Law enforcement has confirmed that Chris Disterdick was killed inside the East Ridge residence and that his son, Caleb, was found at the scene with injuries. Officers documented Caleb’s repeated statements admitting to the killing. Investigators also confirmed that the victim was decapitated and that a kitchen knife was used in the attack.
Authorities have consistently stated that the incident appears to have been isolated and domestic in nature. No additional suspects have been named, and no evidence has been presented to suggest that anyone else participated in the killing. Officials have emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Prosecutors have confirmed that the charges stem from physical evidence, witness statements, and Caleb’s own words. While many details remain sealed ahead of trial, officials maintain that the case will be fully addressed in court, where the accused will have the opportunity to present a defense.
Questions That Remain Unanswered
- What specifically triggered the violence inside the home that night?
- Why did Caleb claim someone else was present or involved when no evidence supports that?
- What did Caleb mean when he said he had to “protect the kids”?
- Were there warning signs or escalating conflicts in the days leading up to the visit?
- How will forensic evidence influence the narrative presented at trial?
- What defense strategy will be presented when the case goes before a jury?
The People Connected to This Case
Caleb Disterdick – Son – The accused in this case, charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. He was found injured at the scene and admitted to killing his father. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
Jason “Chris” Disterdick – Father – The victim, a fifty-two-year-old man who traveled to Tennessee to see his son. Remembered as a devoted family man whose life ended violently.
Neighbor Witnesses – Community Members – Individuals living nearby who encountered Caleb immediately after the incident and contacted emergency services, providing the first account of events.
East Ridge Police Department – Law Enforcement – Responded to the initial call, secured the scene, arrested the suspect, and conducted the investigation.
Hamilton County Prosecutors – Legal Authority – Presented the case to a grand jury and are pursuing murder charges against Caleb Disterdick.