Man accused of beheading mother in Glendale apartment

GLENDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — A man was arrested after he allegedly killed and beheaded his mother in their Glendale home over the weekend.

Alejandro David Gonzalez, 25, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder and theft of transportation, among other charges.

Attention: Graphic details follow; Discretion recommended

Just before midnight Friday, officers responded to an apartment on Keim Drive, near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road, after a 911 caller reported that a family member had been found dead. The caller reported that the woman's head had been cut off.

According to court documents, officers found the woman under a blanket near the front door. According to police, her head was near the body and she also had numerous stab wounds to her stomach, chest and arms.

Police also found blood throughout the apartment, including on a knife block in the kitchen sink. Blood was also found in the shower, which was still running.

The family member told police that the woman's birthday was Saturday and that her relatives had planned a surprise party for Friday afternoon.

According to the documents, the family member spoke to the woman shortly after 3:30 p.m., who said she would be attending the family meeting later that day. But she never showed up.

The worried family went to her apartment around 8 p.m., but she still didn't answer and the door was locked. They later contacted a locksmith who unlocked the door.

The family member also told investigators that she had recently loaned the woman a GMC Yukon that was missing. Family members told police they believed the woman's son, Gonzalez, had recently been released from prison and was living with her.

Video from a nearby surveillance camera showed the Yukon driving away from the home just before 5 p.m

A Phoenix police officer spotted the Yukon at a gas station near Interstate 10 and 99th Avenue around 2:45 a.m. the next morning. Investigators responded and Gonzalez was taken into custody less than an hour later.

Investigators found he had dried blood on his legs and socks.

Documents show that during an interview with investigators, Gonzalez said his mother picked him up from jail on Friday, got him something to eat and took him to her apartment. He then reportedly admitted to smoking meth with a man on a bike he had just met.

According to the documents, Gonzalez said the man stabbed his mother and then forced him to do the same. However, according to the police, there is no evidence that another suspect was involved in the woman's death.

Officials are holding a news conference early Monday afternoon to discuss the investigation. Watch the briefing live at 1 p.m. in the video player above or on AZFamily's free mobile and streaming TV apps.

This report will be updated during the media briefing at 1:00 p.m. Check back for updates.

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