On 06/30/13 at 4:48 p.m., Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office deputies received a 911 call of a family disturbance at 163 Ridgeview Dr., Aptos. Deputies arrived on scene and found two homicide victims, later identified as Joseph Henderson age 71 and his wife Edith Henderson age 68. Deputies had information the Henderson’s son, James Henderson had hit his father with a car and attacked his mother, killing both victims. Afterwards Henderson left the residence on foot. A reverse 911 was sent out to the people in the area asking them to lock their doors and call 911 if they saw anything suspicious. Deputies conducted a systematic search of the surrounding properties and found Henderson on a nearby property. Henderson was arrested after a short struggle with deputies. No one was injured.
The investigation is ongoing and as detectives gather information and evidence the Sheriff’s Office will determine what happened prior and during the crime. The Coroner will conduct a medical examination to determine the manner and cause of death. 