Elderly Couple Found Dead Inside Rochester Hills Home; Son In Custody

ROCHESTER HILLS (WWJ) - Police have arrested a 53-year-old man after his parents were found beaten to death at their Rochester Hills home.

The bodies of an 87-year-old man and his 85-year-old wife were discovered around 3 p.m. Monday at a home on E. Maryknoll Road, in a neighborhood off Walton Boulevard and S. Adams Road.

Oakland County Sheriff's deputies went to the home after being contacted by couple's son-in-law, who said he hadn't been able to contact his in-laws since Saturday. He expressed concern because the couple lived with their son, who has a history of mental health issues.

Deputies entered the home and spoke with the son, who was taken into custody after his "obviously deceased" parents were discovered.

Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said the son, who has a previous domestic violence conviction involving his parents, was found in a disheveled state.

"He did have some physical evidence on him, some blood and his hair was awry....and (he was) just not very coherent," he said. "Deputies then, as a result, started checking and did find the two deceased in a vehicle in the garage."

Oakland County Sheriff  Mike Bouchard says the son is the only suspect in the case.

"Further investigation was done — search warrants, etc. —  and great deal of blood-stained clothing and towels were found; so obviously we think that he has involvement in this, and that's our current focus," Bouchard said.

McCabe said a possible murder weapon was removed from the home; but, as for a motive, the suspect isn't talking.

An investigation is ongoing.

WWJ's Ron Dewey spoke to residents in the neighborhood, who were shaken up by the news.

"This is crushing for all of us. It's very sad," said Jeannie Paegner. "She would come over and she would talk about our snapdragons that we have in the driveway. Just elderly people, very nice."

The victims' names have not yet been released.