Grandson charged in murder of grandparents, 77 and 82
GLENDALE, Calif. -- A 34-year-old man is in custody, suspected of killing his grandparents, reports CBS Los Angeles.
According to the Glendale Police Department, Nathaniel Wayne Scheiern was arrested on two counts of murder on Thursday. He is expected to appear in court next week.
Officers said a concerned relative called police on Sunday to do a welfare check at the home of 77-year-old William Scheiern and 82-year-old Verna Scheiern after they had not heard from the couple.
Upon their arrival, authorities reportedly found the door ajar with no sign of forced entry or that the home had been ransacked. They then found the couple's bodies.
Evidence found during a preliminary investigation revealed the couple had died several days earlier.
Neighbors reportedly told city officials that Nathaniel Scheiern moved in with his grandparents about a year ago, however, he was not at the scene.
After reaching out to several family members, authorities were able to locate Scheiern in a hospital as he had been involved in a serious car accident last week.
According to police, Scheiern was involved in a single vehicle collision off the 5 Freeway on June 25, and sustained significant, but non-life threatening injuries.
Detectives said they believe he murdered his grandparents sometime before the car accident.
The victims' cause of death has not been released by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner's Office.