Man Killed 84-Year-Old Mother In Brutal Beating: Reports

CHICAGO — A Chicago man accused of brutally beating his 84-year-old mother to death in their home on the city’s far south side is charged with first-degree murder, according to reports.

Joseph Ruiz, 51, of the 11000 block of South Washtenaw Avenue, faces two murder charges, police said, after his mother, Benilda Ruiz, was found dead March 13, FOX 32 Chicago reported. He was arrested on Thursday, according to police.

Several days before the victim’s body was found, Joseph Ruiz was spotted by a neighbor shouting at his mother and grabbing her arm, according to FOX 32, which added that a neighbor requested a well-being check.

On March 12, Joseph Ruiz called 911 and said his mother needed an ambulance, but then met responding officers outside, FOX 32 reported, adding the officers did not enter the home.

The next day, Joseph Ruiz called 911 again and said his mother had died the previous night, according to FOX 32, which reported that paramedics found the body cold with visible bruising while Joseph Ruiz told them he had “gotten into it” with his mother. He then told police his mother was alive the previous day, FOX 32 reported, but officers returned to the residence after Joseph Ruiz was seen acting erratically, and he was hospitalized to receive psychiatric treatment.

The victim’s cause of death was determined to be multiple injuries and assault, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Her injuries included a crushed chest, multiple liver cuts, numerous broken bones and blunt force trauma to the brain, FOX 32 reported, adding Joseph Ruiz had three previous arrests related to domestic battery.

He was detained while awaiting trial, according to FOX 32.