Watch CBS News

North Hollywood Man, 25, Charged With Murdering Parents

VAN NUYS (CBSLA.com) — A 25-year-old man was charged with capital murder Tuesday for allegedly beating his parents to death in North Hollywood last week.

Jonathan Mercado was arrested over the weekend for reportedly killing his father, Alexandro, 51, and his mother, Veronica, 47, at the family's home on the 8100 block of Radford Street.

His mother's body was found Friday afternoon in an abandoned pickup truck in Sun Valley. She was wrapped in a sheet.

The suspect's father was found in a sheet in the family's home.

Mercado was charged with two counts of murder, which included the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.

Prosecutors may later seek the death penalty.

Mercado is in jail without bail.

His arraignment is on Sept. 25.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.