Inset: Joseph Ruiz (Chicago PD). Background: The Illinois neighborhood where Ruiz allegedly killed his adoptive mother (Google Maps).
A 51-year-old Illinois man has been accused of killing his adoptive mother, allegedly beating her to death inside their Chicago home earlier this year. Joseph Ruiz faces one count of first-degree murder and one count of murder involving a strong probability of death or great bodily harm, authorities said.
According to a news release from the Chicago Police Department, Ruiz was arrested Nov. 5 in connection with the death of 84-year-old Benilda Ruiz. Officers found Benilda dead inside a home in the 11000 block of South Washtenaw Avenue on March 13.
Five days earlier, on March 8, a neighbor reportedly told police they saw Ruiz outside the home shouting at his mother before “roughly” grabbing her arm and forcing her into a car, local Fox affiliate WFLD reported. Ruiz allegedly tossed a bag of jewelry onto the sidewalk and left a pile of his mother’s clothing at the bottom of the front steps.
Ruiz allegedly called 911 on March 12 and told a dispatcher that his mother was on the floor and needed medical attention, according to local CBS affiliate WBBM. It was unclear whether he explained why Benilda was on the floor.
When emergency responders arrived, Ruiz reportedly refused to let them inside. Responders could see the jewelry and clothing outside the home, according to reports.
Ruiz called 911 again on March 13 to request an ambulance. He allegedly told the dispatcher that his mother had died the night before. Authorities found Benilda’s body inside the home, covered by a blanket. She appeared to have suffered extensive trauma, with visible injuries to her face, throat, arms and body.
Ruiz allegedly told paramedics that he and his mother had “gotten into it” the previous day. He then reportedly insisted that he “didn’t break her neck,” WFLD reported. Police returned to the home later on March 13, took Ruiz into custody and had him admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
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Several days after Benilda’s body was discovered, Ruiz allegedly told a hospital social worker that he did not try to perform CPR because his mother had a “crushed windpipe,” according to WFLD.
An autopsy reportedly classified Benilda’s death as a homicide caused by blunt force trauma. Her injuries included a brain bleed, a lacerated liver and fractures to her spine, collarbone and several ribs. The medical examiner compared the injuries to those suffered in a severe car crash, WFLD reported.
Several members of Benilda’s family told WBBM that they had been waiting for an arrest in the case.
“We’ve been on pins and needles because we just didn’t know what was going on,” her nephew, Jorge Buston, told the station.
Buston said he and his sister believed Ruiz was responsible for Benilda’s death.
“I always thought that he had something to do with it,” he reportedly said.
Ruiz is being held without bond at the Cook County Jail. His first court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 10.
The post Son allegedly said he had “gotten into it” with adoptive mother before she was found dead beneath a blanket: Police first appeared on Law & Crime.
