A Wisconsin teenager has admitted to a horrifying double murder, driven by a plot to assassinate former U.S. President Donald Trump. Nikita Casap, 18, pleaded guilty on Thursday in a Waukesha County courtroom to two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for the killings of his mother, Tatiana Casap, and his stepfather, Donald Mayer.
A Chilling Plan for Financial Gain
According to federal investigators and court proceedings, Casap's motive was shockingly transactional. He believed he needed a substantial amount of money to finance an assassination attempt on Donald Trump. His solution was to murder his parents and collect on insurance policies to fund his dire ambition. The murders are believed to have occurred around February 11, 2025.
During his court appearance, a trembling Casap confirmed to Judge Ralph Ramirez that he understood the ramifications of his guilty plea and that he had indeed shot his mother and stepfather. Prosecutors revealed that Casap used his stepfather's firearm to commit the acts and then lived in the home with the decomposing bodies for several weeks.
Manifesto and Wider Conspiracy Allegations
The plot, however, appeared to extend beyond the mind of a single troubled youth. A federal search warrant indicated the investigation uncovered a manifesto written by Casap calling for Trump's death and the overthrow of the U.S. government. Authorities suggested others may have been involved.
Investigators found deeply troubling messages on Casap's cellphone from a month before the murders. In these exchanges with an unidentified Russian speaker, Casap inquired about moving to Ukraine and asked if he could live a normal life there even if his crimes were discovered. He had also attempted to purchase drones and explosives.
"The killing of his parents appeared to be an effort to obtain the financial means and autonomy necessary to carrying out his plan," stated the federal warrant.
Capture and Maximum Penalty Sought
Casap's flight from the scene ended on February 28, 2025, during a routine traffic stop in Kansas. He was traveling in his stepfather's SUV, carrying $14,000 in cash, jewelry, passports, the murder weapon, and the family dog.
Now, facing the consequences, Casap has taken responsibility. Waukesha County District Attorney Lesli Boese expressed surprise at the guilty plea, noting there was "no downside for him to take it to trial." However, she remains adamant about the severity of the sentence, calling Casap a "danger to the community" and vowing to seek the maximum penalty.
"I think this is a maximum penalty case," Boese told reporters. Each first-degree intentional homicide charge carries a sentence of 20 years in prison before parole eligibility, meaning Casap faces 40 years minimum. His sentencing is scheduled for March 5.
The case presents a disturbing intersection of parricide, extremist ideology, and a targeted threat against a prominent political figure, leaving a community and nation to grapple with its implications.
