Accused 'Cop Caller' Killed, Man Hangs Self At Spring Hill Home

SPRING HILL — Two people are dead after a man accused of killing another was found hanging from a tree Monday at an Elkin Avenue home, the Hernando County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.

Authorities responded around 7 p.m. to the home to conduct a wellbeing check on William Scott Trudell. They said a family member notified authorities that Trudell had possibly been killed by Dakota Lee Croft.

When deputies arrived, Dustin McMillan was accused of locking the front door to hinder the deputies from entering the home. McMillan eventually allowed deputies to come inside but advised Croft was not home, authorities said.

A deputy who walked to the backyard found Croft dead, hanging from a tree, authorities said.

After searching the surrounding area, authorities said they found Trudell dead on the ground in nearby wooded lot. Drag marks found from the side garage door of the Elkin home led to where Trudell's body was found, authorities said.

McMillan told authorities he and Croft, who both had been drinking alcohol, crafted a plan to attack Trudell after Croft became upset with Trudell, authorities said. McMillan said Croft accused Trudell of being a "cop caller" and said Trudell disrespected women in the home, authorities said.

"McMillan advised when Trudell entered the garage, they ambushed him and killed him. A family member entered the garage a short time later and saw Trudell’s body lying on the floor," authorities said in a news release.

The family member then left the home, authorities added. The manner and cause of death for Trudell are unknown.

McMillan and Croft then dragged Trudell's body the wooded area before cleaning the garage and disposing of evidence, authorities said.

"Further investigation revealed Croft was currently under the supervision of the Florida Department of Corrections and had recently cut off his ankle monitor, which was located in the backyard," authorities said.

Shortly after cleaning the garage, authorities said Croft hung himself.

McMillan was arrested and charged on suspicion of one count of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence, authorities said. He was taken to the Hernando County Detention Center, where is being held without bond, authorities said.