ELKHART — Eighteen-year-old Brandon Lee Johnston told several people he had hurt and may have killed James Grant, according to court documents.

Grant, known as Tyrannosaurus Rex Mullens, was killed in the early hours of Aug. 2, two days before his body was discovered, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Grant, a registered sex offender in the area who in 1996 was found guilty of two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, was found dead in his residence at 1701½ Morton Ave. Aug. 4. An autopsy revealed he died of multiple sharp force injuries to the chest, head and neck.

According to the affidavit, on Aug. 4 someone called police saying they had found Grant’s body in his residence Aug. 2. Upon investigation, police found a witness who said Johnston had said he “stabbed Rex in the head.”

Police also interviewed another person who said Johnston had told them “he had hurt someone and he thought he had killed them.” Johnston had told the witness he was going to “Rex’s house” to drink some beer. According to the witness, “Rex” was known as a person who lived on Morton Avenue and frequently spent time with Johnston.

During an interview with Johnston, police confirmed Johnston had been in Elkhart the night of Aug. 1 and that he had seen the witnesses.

An investigation by the Elkhart Police Department led to the arrest of Johnston, of 17242 Hoffman Road, Three Rivers, Mich. Johnston was arrested Friday night at 828 Lusher Ave. in Elkhart. He was booked at the Elkhart County Jail without a bond.

Johnston is being charged with murder and could face up to 65 years in prison if found guilty. His initial hearing has been set for 8:30 a.m. Thursday in Elkhart Circuit Court.