ARIZONA NEWS

Glendale man killed then decapitated mother at apartment, police say

Sep 30, 2024, 4:00 PM

Glendale decapitation...

A Glendale man was accused in the murder and decapitation of his mother on Sept. 27, 2024. (Glendale Police Photos)

(Glendale Police Photos)

PHOENIX — A Glendale man was accused in the murder and decapitation of his mother late last week, authorities said Monday.

Officers responded to the apartment near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road at 11:40 p.m. on Friday and found 49-year-old Teresa DeJesus Cruz Rubio dead, according to the Glendale Police Department.

Rubio’s head was by her body, which had multiple stab wounds and was covered by a blanket, police said.

Rubio’s son, 25-year-old Alejandro Gonzalez, was arrested early Saturday morning and was charged with first-degree premeditated murder and theft of means of transportation.

What led to Glendale decapitation?

Rubio’s sister tried to contact her on Friday ahead of what was supposed to be a surprise birthday party for the victim.

When Rubio didn’t show up for the gathering, her family got suspicious and went to her apartment to look for her.

After failing to get in contact with her, the family eventually got access to the apartment and found Rubio’s body, police said.

Inside the apartment, the shower was on and a knife in the kitchen sink was found with blood and hair, police added.

A vehicle Rubio’s sister loaned to her was missing and detectives quickly determined that Gonzalez, who had recently been released from prison, was involved.

The Phoenix Police Department located the vehicle near 99th Avenue and Interstate 10 at 2:40 a.m. the next morning.

Gonzalez was arrested and in an interview, told police he stabbed his mother multiple times before decapitating her, police said.

Gonzalez said another suspect helped in his mother’s death, but investigators do not believe that to be true.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Economists foresee labor shortages in construction and agriculture as a result of President Donald ...

Matthew DeWees and Katrina Michalak/Cronkite News

Donald Trump’s mass deportations could mean higher costs and labor shortages in Arizona

Deportations ordered by President Trump could hit Arizona’s agriculture and construction sectors hard, pushing up prices for shoppers.

4 hours ago

Immigration Arizona criminal charges 565 people USAO...

Payne Moses

More than 500 charged with immigration-related crime in Arizona over recent 2-week period

From Jan. 21-Feb. 3, a total of 565 people were charged with illegal immigration activity by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.

6 hours ago

Two Valley freeway ramps will be closed for the next two months....

Kevin Stone

2 Valley on-ramps closing for 2 months as part of freeway improvement projects

A couple of metro Phoenix freeway ramps are closing for the next two months as part of ongoing improvement projects.

10 hours ago

Honeywell Aerospace...

Collin Huguley and Jeff Gifford/Phoenix Business Journal

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace to go its own way amid company split

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace Technologies is going to become a separate entity now that Honeywell International Inc. plans to follow through with a major shake-up.

11 hours ago

fatal shooting southeast Phoenix one man dead...

Payne Moses

Police investigating fatal shooting that left 1 man dead in southeast Phoenix

Phoenix police are investigating a fatal shooting in southeast Phoenix on Friday that left one man dead. The incident is being viewed as an act of self-defense.

19 hours ago

Phoenix woman hit killed by car West Phoenix...

Payne Moses

Woman dead after hit by car while crossing street in west Phoenix

An adult woman was struck and killed by a car on Friday while crossing a street in west Phoenix, authorities said.

20 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

Glendale man killed then decapitated mother at apartment, police say