Glendale man killed then decapitated mother at apartment, police say

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.

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