A Burr Ridge man who was arrested and accused of killing his mother with a sledgehammer on Friday at their family home was denied pretrial release after being charged with multiple felonies.
Oscar Rodriguez, 37, of the 9100 block of South Madison Street, was charged with two upgraded counts of first degree murder and one count of aggravated domestic battery in the death of his mother, Virna Rodriguez, who died two days later from injuries sustained in the hammer attack.
According to a release from DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Burr Ridge police Chief Marc Loftus, Burr Ridge officers were dispatched around 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21 to the Rodriguez residence and found Virna Rodriquez sitting on the ground, propped up against a chair, bleeding from her nose and a significant wound to the left side of her head. Reports indicate she was still breathing but appeared unconscious, and she was taken to an area hospital.
Investigators reported that another woman was reportedly in the home at the time of the attack heard the victim scream and then saw OScar Rodriguez standing behind the bleeding victim. Rodriguez is alleged to have chased the woman upstairs and broke through a bedroom door where she was hiding, and the woman then locked herself in a bathroom. Police said she told them Rodriguez briefly banged on the bathroom door before fleeing.
Illinois State Police took Oscar Rodriguez into custody a few hours later, and investigating officers found a “mini sledgehammer” in red-tinged snow under some bushes along the front sidewalk. The hammer also was coated with a red substance that appeared to be blood, officials said.
Berlin and Loftus both extended their condolences to Virna Rodriguez’s family and friends.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for all those involved,” Berlin said.
Rodriguez’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 13 in front of Judge Mia McPherson.
