Indiana Man Allegedly Kills Mom After She Serves Him Eviction Notice Demanding He Find Job or Move Out: Police
A son allegedly killed his mother after she served him with an eviction notice, police said.
According to court documents, Shanelle Burns, of Valparaiso, Indiana was allegedly strangled by her then-19-year-old son Conner Kobold in February of this year, Fox reported.
Police suspect Kobold allegedly committed the crime after his mother served him an eviction notice, the Post-Tribune reported. Per the eviction notice, Kabold had to help his mother keep the common areas clean and find a job, within 30 days, in order to stay in her home.
Kobold called 911 on Feb. 5, the same day his mother served the notice, Fox reported.
Court documents state that Kobold immediately asked officers to put him in handcuffs and place him in the backseat of a squad car, WGNTV reported.
Kobold allegedly told officers that there was a dead person inside the house, and admitted that he had allegedly killed somebody on the premises, according to police. Officers noted scratches on Kobold's face, court documents allege.
After going into the house, officers located Burns lifeless, with no pulse, WGNTV reported. Officers observed signs of struggle at the scene.
After a medical examination, doctors told authorities that Burns suffered significant brain damage before her death. Court documents show that Burns' death was ruled as a homicide by asphyxiation, secondary to manual strangulation, Fox reported.
Kobold, now 20, has pleaded not guilty to the charges of aggravated battery and murder brought against him, Fox reported. Kobold is currently in custody at the Porter County jail, where he is being held without bond. His next appearance in court is scheduled for next month.
Kobold filed a waiver in February requesting permission to represent himself in court, the Post-Tribune reported. Porter Superior Court Judge, Michael Fish, asked him multiple questions at a hearing concerning the request.
During the hearing, Kobold revealed that he previously was admitted to two mental health facilities and saw five different therapists. Online court dockets indicate that in April, he was assigned a public defender for the case, Post-Tribune reported.
Burns worked as a staff member in University Advancement, at Loyola University in Chicago, WGNTV reported. After the victim's death, the institution released a statement that read, “The thoughts and prayers of the Loyola community are with her family.”
"Shanelle was very witty, kind, and poised," Burns' colleague, Karen Paciero said, Fox reported. "She had an exceptional ability to both strategically design and execute; she was a trusted advisor to many within Advancement and so many across the University. We all miss her and profoundly mourn the loss to our division and the University."
Burns' obituary shares that she loved to "journal voraciously, writing poetry and stories that showed her creative and organizational prowess."