An Arizona resident is accused of killing his parents and subsequently contacting 911 to admit to the crime.
Jonathan Turk, 29, reached out to the Peoria Police Department at approximately 6:29 p.m. on Tuesday to confess, as reported by Fox10.
During the call, Turk informed dispatchers that he had taken the lives of his parents, Fraser Turk, 63, and Tina Turk, 56, inside their residence located near 83rd Avenue and Jomax Road.
Court documents referenced by the news outlet indicate that Turk claimed he used a hammer and a knife to commit the murders because he was angry with his parents for putting him on medication.
Turk also mentioned to the 911 operator that he planned to exit the house with a water bottle in hand and would remain outside until the police arrived, according to authorities.
The alleged murder weapons were later discovered discarded in a trashcan.
Turk has been charged with two counts of first–degree murder and two counts of second–degree murder.
The alleged killer refused to make any statements during an interview, according to investigators.
Fraser Turk, 63, and Tina Turk, 56, were found dead inside their home by Peoria police officers, who then arrested their son
Jonathan Turk, 29, called the Peoria Police Department around 6.29pm on Tuesday to confess that he had killed his parents
Turk said he murdered his parents inside their home with a hammer and a knife ‘because he got mad at them for putting him on medication,’ according to court documents
Officers who went inside the home found blood splattered on the stairs and kitchen floor.
Turk’s father had at least one apparent stab wound, according to KTAR.
Investigators added that ‘multiple mental health petitions’ had been completed by both of Turk’s parents.
A state attorney said that concerns existed about Turk’s ‘mental health and mental stability at this time,’ according to the outlet.
His mother was found unresponsive in the master bathroom with apparent head trauma.
A hammer and knife with what looked like blood was found inside a trashcan in an upstairs bedroom when the scene was being cleaned, per court records.
Turk was booked into the Maricopa County Jail, the Patriot Ledger reported.
He remained in jail, as of early Thursday, and was being held on a $2million cash–only bond.
Fraser, a physician’s assistant, and Tina, a nurse, were remembered as ‘great people’ by grieving members of their community
The Peoria Police Department previously issued a missing persons alert for Turk in May 2023. He was found safe
Peoria police issued a missing persons alert for Turk in May 2023, according to a public Facebook post.
The alert noted that he was on several medications for unspecified medical conditions.
He was later found unharmed, according to law enforcement.
Neighbors said the Turks had a college–aged daughter who was not home when her parents were murdered.
A longtime friend of the family added that he was stunned by the murders.
‘We’ve really lost two people that cared about the community,’ Rob Cagnetta told ABC15. ‘[Fraser] was a physician’s assistant. Tina was a nurse.’
‘It comes as a complete and total shock that this would happen,’ Cagnetta said.
Turk was charged with two counts of first–degree murder and two counts of second–degree murder
Police officers who went inside the Turks’ home in Peoria found blood on the stairs and kitchen floor
He described the Turks as ‘great people’ who were ‘always there for you, always willing to lend a hand.’
‘No matter what was needed, [Fraser] and Tina were there for you,’ Cagnetta said. ‘I don’t want the tragedy of this to mask what kind of people they were.’
Turk appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday in a black-and-white uniform.
His next court appearance has been scheduled for April 7.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Peoria Police Department for further comment.
