Deadly stabbing in Peoria: Suspect says he was upset about no Christmas plans

PEORIA, Ariz. - The suspect accused of stabbing his mother's boyfriend to death just days before Christmas made an appearance before a judge on Wednesday.

30-year-old Anthony Paul Kupreisis told police he stabbed 57-year-old Jeffrey Falesch because the victim told him there were no plans for Christmas day.

The altercation happened at a home near 67th Avenue and Happy Valley Road on December 23rd.

According to court documents, Falesch was in the kitchen making cheese balls for a holiday party. That's when the suspect's mother apparently heard the victim say, "He's [expletive] trying to kill me." When she ran to the kitchen, she asked Kupreisis what he did and he fled the scene.

Border Patrol agents later found Kupreisis at a checkpoint in Yuma.

Kupreisis' mother said he had been in and out of the house all day and at one point, she saw him holding a pipe. She also stated his behavior had been erratic and she was concerned he was using illegal drugs.

Kupreisis is now facing a first degree murder charge. He's being held on a $1 million cash bond. His next court appearance is on January 3rd.