A shocking case of patricide unfolds in western New York as Richard Fluegel Jr. turns himself in with his father’s body, leaving authorities and the community stunned.
At a Glance
- Richard Fluegel Jr. charged with second-degree murder of his father, Richard Fluegel Sr.
- Fluegel Jr. shot his father with a shotgun, wrapped the body in a tarp, and drove to the sheriff’s office
- The suspect has two previous felony convictions and is being held without bail
- The incident spanned three days and involved potential links to marijuana operations
- Investigation is ongoing, with court proceedings scheduled
A Grim Surrender: Son Delivers Father’s Body to Authorities
In a disturbing turn of events, Richard Fluegel Jr. of western New York has been charged with the murder of his father, Richard Fluegel Sr. The case took a bizarre twist when Fluegel Jr. arrived at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office with his father’s body, accompanied by his defense attorney. This unusual surrender has left law enforcement officials and the local community in shock.
The incident, which unfolded over three days and spanned two counties, began when Richard Fluegel Sr., 60, was reported missing after leaving Irondequoit. His vehicle was later discovered in the Village of Dansville, Livingston County, raising concerns about his whereabouts. The search for the elder Fluegel came to a grim conclusion when his son arrived at the sheriff’s office with his body.
Details of the Crime and Charges
Investigators believe that Richard Fluegel Sr. was fatally shot by the younger Fluegel using a 12-gauge shotgun. After the shooting, he reportedly wrapped the body in a tarp and transported it in his car to the sheriff’s office.
Richard Fluegel Jr. now faces serious charges, including second-degree murder, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, and second-degree tampering with physical evidence. The severity of these charges is compounded by Fluegel Jr.’s criminal history, which includes two previous felony convictions. As a result, he is being held without bail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
Unusual Circumstances Surrounding the Case
The manner in which Fluegel Jr. turned himself in has baffled law enforcement officials. Sheriff Thomas Dougherty expressed the unprecedented nature of the situation, emphasizing how uncommon it is for someone to voluntarily surrender with a deceased body.
“Livingston County is a safe place. This kind of stuff doesn’t happen. We don’t have people just show up and say they have a dead body with them and they’d like to turn in. It’s not common,” said Dougherty.
Adding to the complexity of the case, investigators discovered that Fluegel Jr. was allegedly attempting to start a marijuana grow operation where the shooting is believed to have occurred. This revelation has prompted authorities to explore potential connections between the alleged murder and the suspect’s business interests in the local marijuana trade.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
As the investigation into this tragic homicide continues, law enforcement has recovered the weapon believed to have been used in the murder. Fluegel Jr. has entered a not guilty plea to the charges against him and is scheduled to return to court for further proceedings. The district attorney’s office has not yet commented on his representation, and no attorney for Fluegel Jr. is currently listed in public records.
Sheriff Dougherty has sought to reassure the public about the safety of Livingston County, noting the unusual nature of this incident. As the case progresses, the community remains on edge, grappling with the shocking details of this family tragedy that has unfolded in their midst.
