Updated at 1:47 Wednesday with Helfrich's funeral information.
Matt Helfrich, an imposing-looking but good-natured volunteer and occasional fill-in DJ for 90.1 KPFT FM, has been identified as the man stabbed to death at the Skylane Apartments on West Alabama around 9 p.m. this past Saturday night, station manager Duane Bradley told Rocks Off this morning.
Bradley said he confirmed Helfrich's identity with the Harris County Medical Examiner's office, and announced it on the air earlier this morning. Helfrich, 42, lived at the Skylane Apartments, a notoriously crime-ridden complex near the 527/U.S. 59 spur into downtown.
"It was a pretty rough little apartment complex," Bradley said, "not just from what Matt told me, but from another volunteer." This unnamed volunteer, Bradley added, initially told him of Helfrich's death.
Helfrich first came to KPFT through Ray Hill's The Prison Show, Bradley said, and "found some interesting musical characters" at the station. Although he never actually had a regular DJ time slot, he would sometimes fill in late at night and recorded the "Unknown Music Show" podcast at the station.
Helfrich was also friends with the DJs for the overnight Thursday program Ejacula, Bradley said.
Bradley said that he did not know very much about Helfrich's background, but that his parents live in Angleton and another volunteer had told him the two grew up together near Columbus.
Helfrich often wore dark sunglasses indoors, Bradley said, and had a "ZZ Top-ish beard." His interests included "pagan Earth things," body art, wrestling and "metallic sounds."
"People who didn't know him were usually initially frightened of him, but he was really pretty much of a sweetheart," Bradley said.
According to HPD's report, Helfrich was seen arguing with several unknown males, who fled on foot after he was stabbed. The department is treating Helfrich's death as a homicide, and anyone with any information should call the Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).
Memorial plans are pending. Bradley sent out the following statement at around 1:15 Tuesday afternoon:
