Son Admits to Double Homicide Because He Was ‘Sick of His Parents’

Illinois police have recovered the bodies of a Bradley University professor and her husband, and have charged their son with first-degree murder.

Jose Ramirez, 21, allegedly told investigators he was “sick of his parents” and stabbed them to death, before dumping their bodies off a bridge.

Susan Brill De Ramirez, 63, was an English professor at Bradley. Her husband, Antonio Ramirez Barron, also 63 years old, was an IT specialist at the same university. Suspicions were raised when the two failed to show up at work on Friday, Oct. 26.

The bodies of the couple were found Tuesday in the Spoon River near Annawan, resting against the riverbank, Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said.

Peoria County Sheriff Brian Asbell told a press conference that Ramirez was arrested and charged on Monday with two counts of first-degree murder after he confessed to killing his parents.

Booking photo of Jose Rodriguez, who has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the double-homicide of his parents, on Oct. 29, 2018. Peoria County Jail via AP

Asbell added the confession was corroborated by evidence found at the scene. This included a call from a concerned relative, signs of a struggle, and traces of blood in the family home.

He also said that 20-year-old Matthew Roberts was also arrested in connection with the double homicide. Roberts faces charges of obstruction of justice and concealment of a homicidal death.

Booking photo of Matthew Roberts, who is charged with obstruction and concealment of a homicidal death in the killings of Susan Brill de Ramirez and Antonio Ramirez Barron of Princeville, Ill., Oct. 29, 2018. Peoria County Jail via AP

The sheriff also told reporters that he wanted to “let the county rest easy that we don’t have someone out there who’s possibly hurting other people.”

“This was an isolated incident,” Asbell said, and added that “we are not looking for any further suspects at this time.”

The Associated Press reported that Dave Kenny, Peoria County assistant state’s attorney, said during a bond hearing Tuesday that Ramirez recounted how he waited until his parents were asleep at home before going into their bedroom. Kenny said Ramirez used pepper spray as a distraction and stabbed his father in the stomach and neck, then stabbed his mother when she woke up.

Ramirez then wrapped the bodies in a tarp and a tent, put them in his father’s SUV and drove them about 50 miles to the Henry County community of Annawan, according to the report. He then dumped the bodies off a bridge into a waterway.

According to earlier reporting by the Journal Star, suspicion fell on Ramirez early in the investigation, in part because of tips received by detectives suggesting his possible involvement in the deaths. Ramirez was allegedly known for causing “discipline problems” with his parents, according to an anonymous source cited by the Journal Star.

The suspect reportedly tried to cover his tracks by staging a burglary at the scene.

A source told the Journal Star that prior to the suspect’s confession, detectives had gathered evidence that Ramirez had held a long-simmering “hatred” for his parents.

Judge Sean Donahue scheduled the suspected killer’s arraignment for Nov. 29.

Peoria is about 130 miles southwest of Chicago.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.