The case of Nichole Maks, a Florida woman accused of the gruesome murder of her 79-year-old roommate, Michael Cerasoli, has taken a bizarre turn. Maks allegedly attempted to destroy forensic evidence by pouring Diet Mountain Dew all over her body after being questioned by police. This unusual act has added another layer of complexity to an already disturbing crime that occurred on July 1, 2023, in Volusia County, Florida.
Discovery of the Crime Scene
The events unfolded when police officers were alerted to a fire at a residence on Clark Street in Daytona Beach. Upon arrival, first responders discovered Cerasoli lying face down in a blood-spattered room. The victim had suffered multiple stab wounds to his torso and blunt force trauma to the back of his head. A blood-covered knife was found near Cerasoli's body, deepening the mystery surrounding his death.
Maks' Apprehension and Initial Statements
Early the next morning, officers located Maks in Holly Hill, Florida. She was walking barefoot near a restaurant, carrying both a knife and a hammer. Officers observed blood on her leg and a ripped shirt, also stained with blood. Initially, Maks provided conflicting statements to the police. She claimed to be homeless for four years and denied knowing Cerasoli. However, she eventually admitted to knowing him and living with him for a short time, recanting her earlier claim of homelessness. She also stated that she had never entered the victim's room before but occasionally went to the second floor to "feed her spiders."
The Diet Mountain Dew Incident
The situation escalated when officers informed Maks that they would be taking a DNA sample from her. In response, she requested a Diet Mountain Dew. After receiving the soda, she "began to procrastinate" while drinking it, prompting a detective to attempt to take it away from her. According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, "Maks began to resist and began pouring the can of soda all over her body and hair and pulling away from officers in attempts to interfere with the possible evidence on Maks' body." This act of desperation led to additional charges of tampering with evidence and resisting with violence.
Evidence and Charges
Despite Maks' attempt to contaminate potential evidence, investigators were able to recover DNA from her that matched the DNA found on the knife near Cerasoli's body. This crucial piece of evidence strengthened the case against her.
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As a result, Nichole A. Maks, 35, was charged with first-degree premeditated murder on July 1, as well as evidence tampering and resisting arrest for pouring soda on herself in an attempt to scrub forensic evidence from her body, police said.
Maks was taken into custody and faced multiple charges, including first-degree premeditated murder, tampering with evidence, and resisting arrest with violence. She was held in Volusia County Jail without bond, awaiting her court appearance.
Legal Proceedings and Plea
The case proceeded through the legal system, and on Feb. 27, 2025, Nichole Maks pleaded no contest to second-degree murder, resisting with violence, arson of a dwelling, and tampering with physical evidence.
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