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PD: Woman dies in Avondale stabbing, son taken into custody

Posted at 1:57 PM, Dec 27, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-28 21:28:24-05

A man has been taken into custody in connection with the deadly stabbing of his mother, according to Avondale Police.

Officer Jaret Redfearn said police responded to the scene near Avondale Boulevard and Lower Buckeye Road around 8 a.m. Tuesday and found 60-year-old Linda Willis dead from apparent stab wounds. 

Willis's son, 31-year-old Bronson Harvel, was also found at the home. Redfearn said officers discovered the mother and son had an argument shortly before the incident.

Police say Harvel detailed the incident, saying that his mom had taken away his iPad and wouldn't give it to him until he took his medication.

Harvel then allegedly used a frying pan to attack his mom to get the iPad back, and eventually used three separate knives to stab her repeatedly.

Police booked the man into jail on Tuesday night. Charges were submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. He faces one count of 2nd degree murder and one count of preventing use of telephone in an emergency. 

Harvel reportedly told police that he suffered from paranoia and is schizophrenic.

Police tell ABC15 they had previously responded to the family's home to help resolve a non-criminal situation with Willis and Harvel on December 8th; the situation resulted in a crisis response team assisting Harvel. Details about that incident are unavailable.