A promising young artist was seen fighting for her life on the floor of a California apartment hallway, only for her naked boyfriend to allegedly drag her back inside where she was killed, according to harrowing court documents.
Surveillance Footage Reveals Final Hours
Zoe Reidy-Watts, aged 25, was captured on surveillance camera outside her Oakland apartment around 11pm on February 29, 2024, looking healthy and alert. However, the scene had drastically changed by approximately 12.30am on March 1. Footage described in legal filings shows the young woman "barely moving" on the hallway floor, alive but on the brink of death and unable to stand.
Despite her severe state, Reidy-Watts managed to get herself out of the flat. Tragically, her partner, 29-year-old Victor 'Frito' Frieson III, then allegedly pulled her back inside. "He grabbed her as if she wasn't even a human being, and pulled her so far into the apartment that her body was twisting and flailing against the walls," Deputy District Attorney Nick Homer argued in court.
A Delayed Call and a Grisly Discovery
Police were not called to the building on Hegenberger Road until roughly six hours later, responding to a report of a suspicious death. Inside, they found Reidy-Watts lifeless. Her autopsy revealed broken ribs and both fresh and old lacerations. Authorities confirmed she had previously reported abuse by Frieson to the police.
Frieson, a sex offender who had failed to register, was arrested at the scene. After reviewing the disturbing evidence, which included the surveillance footage obtained by police days after the killing, prosecutors charged him with murder. The Alameda County District Attorney has since cited the footage to support an additional charge of torture.
Prosecutor Homer wrote in documents that Frieson derived "pleasure" from Reidy-Watts' suffering. "It reflects a cold, calculated intent to inflict as much pain as possible. Ms. Watts was left to bleed internally for hours until she died," he stated, referencing a pathologist's finding that her severe injuries were inflicted over a substantial period.
Neighbour Testimony and a Life Cut Short
One neighbour gave a chilling account of the morning after the killing. He found Frieson inside his own apartment with a broken lock. After asking what was happening, Frieson said his girlfriend needed help. The neighbour followed him to the couple's unit and immediately saw Reidy-Watts' lifeless body.
"I'm still affected. She wasn't with us. She was clearly dead," the neighbour testified, describing frightening bruises on her body. When he questioned Frieson about the bruises, Frieson claimed Reidy-Watts had been in a fight in San Francisco. The neighbour said he told Frieson to call the police "10 to 12 times."
Another neighbour described the couple's relationship as "normal" but at times explosive, recalling an incident where Frieson threatened to beat Reidy-Watts over $10 worth of marijuana. Prosecutors allege that after killing Reidy-Watts, Frieson attempted to clean the scene instead of seeking help, though blood stains and other marks remained.
Zoe Reidy-Watts was a San Francisco State University graduate, remembered as an inspiring poet and visual artist. A close friend, Jada Imani, described their "cosmic" connection, noting they shared a birthday and did everything together. Fellow poet Jean JT Teodoro said Reidy-Watts "persevered through a lot of struggles" and was a role model.
Frieson remains in custody, charged with murder, domestic violence, and now torture.
