An alleged hidden “down low” life, exposed to a Raleigh man’s wife ends in a deadly outcome. The October 14, 2025 murder involving 63-year-old, Richard Hauser, who was found stabbed to death inside his Raleigh home, is shedding light on how secret exposure can sometimes escalate into violence.
Authorities have since tied 69-year-old, Reginald Perry, to Hauser’s death. Perry, who was arrested on October 15, 2025, now faces a murder charge.
Incident Background
Search warrants point to a possible motive, centered around a secret romantic relationship between the two men. Investigators report that Hauser had been involved with Perry, who is married, and had recently told family members he planned to expose the affair.
Tensions reportedly escalated after Hauser contacted Perry’s wife of their secret affair, prompting a confrontation. According to investigators, Perry brought his wife to Hauser’s home, accusing him of lying about the alleged relationship.
The night before Hauser’s body was discovered, a witness reported seeing Perry sitting on Hauser’s porch asking about his whereabouts. Later that evening, Perry allegedly told the witness he would be back. The same witness claimed Perry said Hauser “talked too much” and threatened to kill him.
Evidence outlined in the warrants includes a folding knife with a broken tip and blood-stained towels recovered from a vehicle Perry was known to drive, though it was not registered to him. Investigators also noted inconsistencies in Perry’s statements, including his apparent knowledge of details surrounding Hauser’s death before the family had been officially notified.
In court proceedings in January 2026, Perry denied claims that he was involved in a same-sex relationship.
Perry was indicted by a grand jury in December 2025 and has remained in custody without bond. His trial is ongoing, with the next court hearing scheduled for April 30, 2026, in a Raleigh courtroom. A verdict has not yet been reached.
When a Secret Life Turns Dangerous
Cases like this highlight a broader and often unspoken reality. What exists behind closed doors, sometimes described as men living “on the down low,” involves hidden relationships kept from spouses, families, and the public. When those secrets are exposed or threatened with exposure, tensions can rise with devastating consequences.
24-year-old, Kylen Pratt, (right) is currently serving a life sentence at the State Correctional Institution (SCI) – Coal Township in the murder of Naasire Johnson (Left); Photo Credit: Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and Philadelphia Police Dept.
A similar case occurred in 2022, when 20-year-old Naasire Johnson was murdered in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.
Kylen Pratt shot Johnson in the neck shortly after Johnson arrived at his West Philadelphia home. Following the killing, Pratt attempted to conceal the crime by wrapping Johnson’s body, transporting it to a remote trail in Fairmount Park, and setting it on fire. The body was discovered three days later, burned beyond recognition, and ultimately had to be identified through DNA analysis. Investigators also uncovered disturbing evidence on Pratt’s phone, including Google searches for “traits of a psychopath” and “having sex with dead bodies.”
Prosecutors said Kylen Pratt killed Johnson to conceal their relationship. Pratt was convicted of first-degree murder in September 2024 and sentenced to life in prison.
A life lived in secrecy can sometimes unravel in dangerous ways. In this case, what was kept on the “down low” has turned into tragedy, leaving Hauser’s loved on hoping to get justice.
