An Arizona mother was tragically found decapitated in her home in Glendale, Arizona, when she should have been enjoying her surprise 50th birthday party, authorities have reported.
Teresa DeJesus Cruz Rubio, aged 49, was discovered dead on Friday, with multiple stab wounds and her head severed from her body. Her son, Alejandro David Gonzalez, 25, has been arrested and charged with her murder after allegedly admitting to the crime while under the influence of drugs, just one day after his release from prison.
Family members made the horrifying discovery after Rubio failed to arrive at the birthday celebration planned by her loved ones. Concerned when she did not show up, they visited her home and found her lifeless body hidden under a blanket.
Upon entering the residence, they found signs of a violent struggle, with the shower still running and a bloodied knife with hair on it in the sink. Additionally, Rubio’s sister’s car, a burgundy GMC Yukon, was missing, captured by doorbell footage leaving the scene around 5pm that day.
Gonzalez allegedly contacted family members using Rubio’s phone shortly thereafter. Described as having mental health issues and residing with his mother following his release from jail, he was found by police in the missing vehicle with injuries on his hands, arms, and bloodstains on his clothes.
Following his arrest, Gonzalez confessed to police that he had taken methamphetamines and then proceeded to stab his mother multiple times with a kitchen knife before decapitating her. He initially implicated an accomplice, which was found to be false.
Charged with first-degree murder and theft of transportation, Gonzalez was detained at Maricopa County Jail with a bond set at $1 million. Glendale police spokesperson Jose Santiago expressed concerns about his potential for violence, stating, “This is a person that is liable to creating violence anywhere they go.”
The victim’s family has set up a GoFundMe page in remembrance of Rubio, describing her untimely death as a “tragedy” that has brought immeasurable pain and sorrow to her loved ones, especially just before her milestone 50th birthday celebration.
The case has shocked the local community and raised questions about mental health support and the tragic consequences of drug abuse. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding this horrific incident.