A man arrested in the killing of a woman inside north Fort Wayne home early Wednesday told investigators he was possessed by demons and Hitler and asked to be “put down.”

The woman: his mother.

Jason A. Steiss, 34, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of felony Aggravated Battery related to the death of 64-year-old Joy Steiss, his mother, at a home in the 2800 block of Stanford Avenue. Police were called to the home around 1 a.m. and found Joy unconscious and unresponsive.

She was taken to a hospital in critical conditional but died a short time later. An autopsy found Joy Steiss died of strangulation and her death was ruled a homicide.

Jason Steiss was arrested at the scene, police said.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Steiss told police at the scene that “I murdered my mother.” He went on to explain that “I am a bad person kill me, I need to be put down so I don’t hurt anyone else,” the affidavit said.

He then said he was “possessed by demons, and Hitler,” the affidavit said.

In an interview with police, Steiss said he attacked his mother, bit her, hit, punched and choked her, the affidavit said. Police said Steiss “repeatedly” said in the interview that he needed to go to prison for what he did.

Police noted in the affidavit that Steiss had blood on his hands, face, arms and clothing.

WANE 15 has learned from multiple sources that Steiss had been battling mental illness for years. A close friend said he suffered from depression and bipolar disorder. That friend also said Steiss complained of voices in his head, suffered from seizures and had a temper. 

According to the affidavit, Steiss called his father just before 1 a.m. Wednesday and said, “I hurt my Mom hurt her real bad, blood all over please help.” His father then called 911.

Steiss is due in court Oct. 30. He’s being held on a $20,000 bond.