A 25-year-old man, Alejandro Gonzalez, was apprehended by Glendale law enforcement on Friday in relation to the brutal murder of his mother. The victim, Teresa De Jesus Cruz Rubio, 49, was discovered decapitated in the apartment she shared with her son. The gruesome discovery was made during a welfare check at their residence located near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road, where signs of violence were evident.
Court documents reveal that Cruz Rubio’s body was found concealed under a blanket, bearing multiple stab wounds in addition to the decapitation. The shocking discovery was made after a family member raised concerns when Cruz Rubio failed to show up for her own birthday celebration, scheduled for Saturday. This was particularly alarming as she lived with her son, Gonzalez, in the apartment.
In a twist of events, it was confirmed by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office that Gonzalez had been released from jail just 24 hours before the alleged murder. He had been previously detained on a felony charge of criminal damage. The case was returned to Phoenix police by the Maricopa County Attorney’s office for further evidence collection.
Upon his arrest in relation to his mother’s death, officers noted that Gonzalez appeared to have dried blood on his clothing. Gonzalez reportedly told officers that he and an unidentified man from their neighborhood had consumed drugs together. He further claimed that this unknown individual initiated the attack on Cruz Rubio, and he joined in the assault.
However, Glendale police have stated that there is currently no evidence to support the involvement of a third party in the incident. The investigation is ongoing, with Gonzalez now facing charges of murder and theft.