Dad Charged In Torture-Murder Of Son, 8, Bought Acid, Bolt Cutters & Drain Opener

CORONA, CA — A California father charged with killing his eight-year-old son purchased acid, bolt cutters, a drain opener, and gloves on the day police believe the boy may have died, according to court documents.

Bryce McIntosh, 32, is being held on $1 million bail in regard to the disappearance of his son, Noah McIntosh. The elder McIntosh faces one count of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of torture.

While Noah’s remains have not yet been located, Corona police Chief George Johnston told the press that the trace evidence leaves "no doubt that Noah is the victim of a homicide."

Authorities believe McIntosh killed Noah between March 3 and 4.

Jillian Godfrey, Noah’s 36-year-old mother, told police she last saw her son on March 2 when she dropped him off at McIntosh’s home.

She said she saw McIntosh take Noah into the bathroom, and then heard the child ask why his father was hurting him. Godfrey said McIntosh and Noah were still in the bathroom when she left.

Police have since charged Jillian Godfrey with willful child cruelty. She is being held in lieu of $500,000 bond.

On March 12, Godfrey asked police to do a welfare check on Noah. When responders showed up at the house, McIntosh refused to let them in.

The following day, officers returned with a search warrant. McIntosh stepped outside with his 10-year-old daughter, invoked his right to remain silent, and requested an attorney.

According to Detective Mario Hernandez, McIntosh’s electronics contained internet searches that included, "the normal heart rate for 8 year old," "exactly how sodium hydroxide works" and "can you buy sulfuric acid."

Searchers allegedly also found handcuffs, zip ties, and stained towels in the home, as well as purple latex gloves in McIntosh’s BMW.

Detectives also interviewed the 10-year-old girl about her missing brother. She reportedly said McIntosh had abused Noah by handcuffing him, tying his feet together, and making him sit in a tub full of cold water. A court document further states that the girl “described helping her daddy at times by holding Noah’s legs down.”

A search of Godfrey’s cellphone reportedly found notes in which she detailed McIntosh’s abuse of Noah, including forcing the child to sit in extremely hot water or extremely cold water for multiple hours.

Godfrey mentioned that McIntosh had gone to a nearby Home Depot around the time she last saw Noah. A check of the Home Depot’s security video reportedly showed McIntosh purchasing two-inch bolt cutters, four gallons of muriatic acid, a 128-ounce bottle of drain opener, and two pairs of long-cuffed gloves on March 4.

Investigators then used McIntosh’s phone records to trace his movements that day.

Officers reportedly followed the suspect’s path to a dump site about 60 miles away. Once there, they discovered a 32-gallon trash can, a paper with “Noah M.” written on it, purple gloves that matched the pair in McIntosh’s car, empty bottles of cleaner, oven wipes, pieces of a Ninja blender, part of a wooden spoon, and what is believed to be one of the long-cuffed gloves from Home Depot.

Dogs from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit indicated that human blood was present in the trash can and a bag. Police said at least two of the items found on the spot have tested positive for blood.

While Bryce McIntosh and Jillian Godfrey remain in custody, authorities have issued a statement declaring, “The Corona Police Department will continue to investigate the disappearance of Noah McIntosh and will remain steadfast until Noah is located.”

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