Chilling case out of Iowa has left the community in shock as three brothers stand accused of restraining, starving, and ultimately causing the death of their youngest sibling—only to leave his body decomposing for days before calling the police.
Authorities in Cedar Rapids discovered 18-year-old Ezekiel Baseme’s lifeless body on November 9, 2024, inside the home he shared with his three older brothers—Azane Baseme, 23, Pierre Baseme, 26, and Christian Baseme, 30. According to police, Ezekiel had been tied to a bed and denied food and water in the days leading up to his death.
Investigators say the gruesome discovery came after the brothers finally reported the death, despite allegedly letting his corpse ‘swell and smell’ for days. A coroner later determined his cause of death as “complications of probable starvation and dehydration in a setting of physical restraint.”
A Disturbing Descent Into Chaos
Reports indicate that Ezekiel had been suffering from a mental health crisis in the weeks before his death. KCRG, a local ABC affiliate, obtained a search warrant revealing that Ezekiel had experienced a violent schizophrenic episode on November 3, 2024. Family members claimed he had been acting erratically, hearing voices, and even threatened their neighbors after slipping out of the house at night.
According to police, this led the three older siblings to take matters into their own hands, tying Ezekiel to his bed—allegedly for his own safety. What followed was a horrifying sequence of events. While restrained, Ezekiel reportedly refused food and water, and each time his brothers attempted to untie him, he allegedly fought back.
The Tragic End
By November 5 and 6, Ezekiel was still struggling against his restraints, making noises that signaled his distress. But on the night of November 6, he fell silent. The brothers told police that, at that point, his heart was still beating. However, by the morning of November 7, Ezekiel’s body had grown cold. Over the next two days, the brothers allegedly allowed his body to decay in their home before finally alerting authorities on November 9.
The Arrest
Following an extensive investigation, authorities arrested Azane, Pierre, and Christian Baseme on March 28, charging them with involuntary manslaughter, assault causing serious injury, and forced imprisonment. They are currently being held at the Lin County Jail without bond. Court dates for the accused have not yet been released.
The case has left many in the community horrified, raising serious questions about mental health care, family intervention, and the responsibilities of caretakers. As the investigation continues, prosecutors are working to determine exactly what transpired in the days leading up to Ezekiel’s tragic death.
