GLENDALE, AZ – A gruesome incident unfolded in a Glendale home where a 25-year-old man stands accused of decapitating his mother. Alejandro David Gonzalez has been charged with first-degree murder in relation to the death of his 49-year-old mother, Teresa De Jesus Cruz Rubio, as reported by local authorities.
Late Friday night, officers were called to an apartment located on Keim Drive in response to a 911 call reporting a decapitated woman. As per court documents, Rubio’s body was found under a blanket near the front entrance of the apartment. Police recorded multiple stab wounds across her body and discovered her severed head close to the scene.
Authorities observed evidence of the crime strewn throughout the apartment, including blood found around the vicinity, in the kitchen sink, and in the shower.
Rubio was expected to attend a surprise birthday party arranged by her family on Saturday, which would have been her birthday. Late that evening, when the family didn’t hear from her, they arrived at her apartment, but there was no response. A locksmith was subsequently called to unlock the door.
Family members also informed investigators about Rubio’s son Gonzalez, recently released from jail, who was staying with her and was known to have a history of mental health issues.
Responding to family reports of Rubio’s missing GMC Yukon, investigators found a local surveillance video showing the Yukon being driven away from the apartment just before 5 p.m. The vehicle was later spotted by a Phoenix police officer at a gas station near Interstate 10 and 99 Avenue. Gonzalez was arrested an hour later by detectives, with visible traces of dried blood on his legs and socks.
In an interview with detectives, Gonzalez alleged that an unidentified man, who he had just met and smoked meth with, had stabbed his mother and forced him to do the same. Although police confirm no evidence of the involvement of another suspect, the investigation is ongoing.