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Friend Of Slain San Juan Capistrano Couple Not Surprised Their Son Was Arrested

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO (CBSLA.com) — A family friend of the San Juan Capistrano couple who was murdered inside their home last month, isn't shocked to find out the couple's son was being held for the crime.

Monte Burghardt was a family friend (and realtor) of Bradford Hans Sachs and his ex-wife (but housemate) Andra Resa Sachs.  The couple's 19-year-old son, Ashton Colby Sachs, was arrested Thursday night.

"I wasn't surprised," Burghardt told KCAL9's Stacey Butler.

In a story that is Only On 9, Burghardt sheds light on the teen's relationships -- with his parents and with Burghardt as well.

"My interactions with him were difficult," Burghardt says,  "He was just a different kind of person, kind of in his own world."

Burghardt says he was representing the Sachs' in three separate real estate deals in Laguna Beach at the time of the murder.  He also sold them the home in which they were slain.

Ashton Colby Sachs
(credit: Orange County Sheriff's Department)

Their son is accused of shooting them in cold blood and then walking into his adopted brother's room and shooting and paralyzing the 8-year-old.

Detectives said the shooter also aimed at a teen sister, missing her.

For all his personal feelings about the son, Burghardt told Butler that the teen seemed to have a good relationship with his parents, especially his mother.

"Andra  loved him. Said how brilliant he was. He was a good looking boy, that's really it. It just blows my mind," said Burghardt.

The family friend also insisted Brad was not the businessman the media has made him out to be -- rather that he was a musician.

He said Andra was the force behind the family's wealth and that she was always honest, fair and kind.

"They didn't owe anybody any money. They were really wonderful people," Burghardt said.

Ashton's older brother, Myles, is now the executor of the family estate.

"He's the new patriarch of the family. And he's rising to the occasion," said Burghardt.

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