Son Beat Dad To Death In Delco, Dumped Body: Authorities

A Delaware County man is facing murder and related charges after allegedly beating and stabbing his father to death in Yeadon Borough then dumping the body along a Main Line road Saturday, according to authorities.

Authorities identified the victim as Robert Coult Jr., 59, and the suspect as his son, Robert Coult III, 30, both of Yeadon.

Coult III was arrested and charged with criminal homicide, first- and third-degree murder, possession of an instrument of crime, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence, after allegedly beating and stabbing his father to death then trying to dismember his body and hide it, according to court records.

The identities and charges were announced at a joint press conference with District Attorney Katayoun Copeland, Yeadon Police Chief Anthony Paparo, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, and Lower Merion Supt. Michael J. McGrath.

Coult Jr.'s body was found at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the Philadelphia Country Club the 1600 block of Spring Mill Road, in the Gladwyne section of Lower Merion Township, according to a joint statement from Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Merion Township Police Superintendent Michael J. McGrath.

Initial investigations revealed the Coult Jr. died at another location and was placed at the scene, authorities said.

An autopsy determined he died from blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death was ruled homicide, authorities said Monday.

Coult Jr. was reported missing on Sunday, Sept. 16 by his girlfriend after being last seen Friday, Sept. 14, Yeadon Borough Police said.

His girlfriend told police she spoke with him at 5 p.m. Friday but then tried to call him at 5:30 p.m. and was not able to reach him, police said.

The girlfriend provided Pennsylvania State Police with a photo of Coult III, who then gave the photo to Lower Merion Police.

As Yeadon Borough police were investigating Coult Jr.'s disappearance, Lower Merion Police got a photo of him and confirmed him as the deceased man, police said.

After a joint investigation, Coult III admitted to county detectives that he killed his father following an argument about a small amount of money, which led to his arrest and charges being filed, police said.

Coult III told investigators in his confession that his father pushed him down a set of stairs, Copeland said. Coult III said he repeatedly hit his father over the head with a hammer then got a knife and repeatedly stabbed him, Copeland said.

Copeland said Monday that Coult III "brutally" bludgeoned and stabbed his father to death and tried to dismember the body with an electric saw to hide it.

He took his dad's clothes off and put a fresh T-shirt on him, put him in his vehicle, and took him to Lower Merion where he dumped the body. Copeland said Coult III seat belted his father into the vehicle and laid his head against the headrest.

Coult also admitted to dumping evidence in Haverford Township, police said.

Police said Monday that Coult III showed no remorse when speaking with investigators.

Coult III remains in custody after being denied bail at his Sept. 17 preliminary arrangement, court records show.

He is slated to appear for his preliminary hearing on Sept. 25, according to court documents.

Coult faces a life sentence.

Image via Yeadon Borough Police