Veteran Justin Eilers Killed, Suspect Arrested
Justin Eilers
UFC, WEC, and EliteXC veteran Justin Eilers died early this morning as the result of a single gun shot wound to the chest suffered during a domestic dispute at the home of an acquaintance in Canyon County, Idaho.
Canyon County Sheriffs arrived at the house at 10:44pm MT to find Eilers wounded and were unable to save the fighter’s life.
According to reports, Eilers had gathered at the house with relatives and friends to celebrate Christmas but an argument reportedly arose between Eilers and his ex-girlfriend, who was also present at the residence. The dispute then escalated, culminating with James Robert Malec, believed to be the boyfriend of Eilers’ mother, shooting Eilers once in the chest with several family members witnessing the attack.
Malec was apprehended by authorities and has been charged with second-degree murder.
Following his collegiate football football career as a linebacker at Iowa State, Eilers was recruited to Miletich Fighting Systems by Jens Pulver, eventually making his MMA debut in late-2002. He holds a 19-7-1 record as a professional fighter, including a 1-3 mark in the UFC. Following an 8-2-1 start to his career, Eilers debuted in the octagon, stopping Mike Kyle via first-round knockout. Despite losing to Paul Buentello at UFC 51, Eilers challenged Andrei Arlovski for the heavyweight title, losing in the first-round due to a knee injury. A third-consecutive loss suffered to Brandon Vera marked Eilers’ last appearance in the UFC but after winning 10 of his next 11 bouts Eilers challenged Antonio Silva for the first-ever EliteXC heavyweight championship, losing via second-round TKO.
He was 30-years-old.
Tags: Justin Eilers
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Definately a messed up crazy situation, the guy was 30 and got shot infront of his child to boot.. I don’t know exactly why the guy who shot Eilers is only get 2nd degree murder charges, perhaps “self defense/in ones own house” type thing but Eilers is gone and with Levens do what he did plus the motorcycle accident this has been a unfortunate holiday week and half for MMA
Agreed that it has been a bad week for MMA in that regard. Probably hot 2md degree because first is premeditated/during the commision of a felony.
On a side note you need to do some proofreading Kris.
It is set at 2nd degree but could go to first after evidence…or could go down to a self defence plee…Justin leaves behind a son that was in the home at the time of the shooting!
also…the shooter was married to his mother…that made the shooter Justins step-father…other peoples reports suck! Coming from 1st hand here!
It is second degree murder because it was a crime of passion not a planned attack. Because the incident happened after/during an argument it is considered to be done in the heat of the moment, you have to assume the man did not come to the party with intentions of murder. While second degree murder does not typically recive as harsh of a punishment, it is a little easier to get a panel to convict. Hope this clears it up some.
Another tragic story in the world of MMA. My condolonces to his family. Could you please take 2 minutes to proofread your article before posting?
“James Robert Malec, believed to be the girlfriend of Eilers’ mother…” So James is the girlfriend of the mother?
“A member of Eilers holds a 19-7-1 record as a professional fighter”. A member of what?
Corrected, thanks! I’m having some major connection issues right now and was trying to get this story posted ASAP, but obviously missed some errors. Thanks for the heads up.
Dont worry about it kris, out of all the great and ontime posts here at frenzy, I think your allowed atleast one or two slip ups.
this is just tragic. RIP justin Eilers.
RIP mate
RIP
RIP Justin Eilers.
You will be missed.
anyon County Sheriff’s deputies initially went to a home on Happy Valley Road for a domestic disturbance call. When they got there, they found Eilers laying on the floor, with a single gun shot wound to the chest.
Holy crap.
This is terrible news.
RIP..
Wow i can not believe it is that right the boyfriend of his mother ?
Seems like…….i might be jumping the gun on this that there was some beef between Justin and Malec and to do this on Xmas i hope the son **** rots for do such a senseless act.
wonder if it was the feats of strength or the airing of grievances that sent him over the edge
he was a good fighter and friend knew him well trained and drank with him so long good buddy
Good fighter or not, details are not out yet. Sounds to me like a classic case of ‘roid rage’ or ‘meat-head rage’ and when asked to leave, by the owner of the house mind you, he gets crazy and breaks dishes and threatens to break James’s face…shot him in self-defense? Look at the mug shot, James looks so calm. Maybe he is not a criminal but an armed citizen that feared for the life/health of himself and others in his house. Unfornate that it happened in front of his kid but it is also unfortunate that daddy couldn’t control his temper. Just a thought.
HOMO says “Good fighter or not, details are not out yet.” “So, since the details aren’t out I’m going to make ridiculous assumptions without any consideration for the truth and those involved.”
Sounds to me HOMO that there’s a reason you used the name “Homo”.
Hate to keep being the “cop” on this post, but many people who get thier photo taken for the police after a murder look calm. Some because they completed what they set out to do others because they are still in a state of shock. In my career I have never seen someone charged with muder and put on a $1M bail if there is any evidence of self defense. Once the suspect has been charged the legal clock starts. If it was a possibility of self defense the police most likely would have watched him closely while gathering more evidence. So HOMO, while it was “just a thought,” I have to strongly disagree with your logic.
I grew up in Nampa, went to high school with him, his brother, and his sister-in-law and a bunch of the local fighters. Justin was a great guy and he sure didn’t deserve to have his life taken away regardless of what happen that night. He can control his temper and especially if you are a professional fighter, so if you have nothing nice to say are unsure don’t say it at all. I can’t believe he is gone now… My heart and prayers go out to Kim Eilers and the entire family he will be missed for sure. “GOD BLESS”
I agree, he dated my cousin for about 3-4 years, and I knew him well, spent a lot of time with him and he could control his temper. I highly doubt all the speculation that he was throwing things and would not leave, I’m sure all the adults there will get the truth out sooner or later, but I am getting tired of all these chats saying he deserved and was a roid head, Justin worked hard at what he did and definitely didn’t take it for granted! He was a good guy and this should have never happened and so help me if Malec gets by with self defense, the law needs to be looked at again!
I played with JE at ISU. He was a crazy S.O.B. God Bless homie. You will be missed.
From an article at another site
An argument between Eilers and an ex-girlfriend, who have a son together, had broken out earlier and she had left the residence, according to Capt. Maxfield.
Tensions continued in the kitchen between Eilers and Malec, said Maxfield. Unverified reports suggest Eilers was asked to leave, but refused. Maxfield said glass and other items were found on the kitchen floor, knocked over by Eilers in protest.
“He [Eilers] was verbally challenging Malec,” said Capt. Maxfield.
Eilers was shot with a large caliber handgun standing in the doorway adjoining the kitchen and the living room and fell back into the living area.
Maxfield said Eilers’ mother witnessed the shooting. Earlier reports that Eilers’ 8-year-old son was also present in the room were false, though he was on the premises with other family members. Eilers’ ex-girlfriend was not present at the time of the shooting, but returned afterward, said Maxfield.
Maxfield confirmed that both Eilers and Malec had been drinking.
Booking photo of alleged suspect in eilers murder
http://www.cagepotato.com/new-details-emerge-justin-eilers-homicide