After Hayden Lerond of Texas reportedly stabbed his father to death in such a violent frenzy that he fractured his 51-year-old father’s ribs and left an 8-inch incision that perforated his jugular vein, police said they tracked down the 22-year-old by following his bloody tracks.
According to the Austin Police Department, officers arrived at a residence on Windrift Way on July 1 after receiving multiple calls regarding a stabbing that occurred just before 6 p.m. in the front yard of the Lerond property.
When emergency care services arrived and police followed, investigators discovered “footprints leading to the garage of the home and ultimately into the living room.” According to Austin ABC affiliate KVUE, an arrest affidavit shows that the trail of blood footprints leads away from the body and into the home.
“When officers entered to check welfare, they located another male, later identified as Hayden Lerond, lying on the floor with blood on his knees,” officials said.
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After allegedly refusing questioning, investigators believed that the 22-year-old should be held and charged with first-degree murder.
According to public arrest records from the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Hayden Lerond is being held at the Travis County Correctional Complex on a $200,000 bond. According to court documents from Texas’ 427th District, Lerond was granted counsel and submitted a motion to be considered indigent on July 5.
His next court appearance is scheduled for August 5.
On Wednesday, his attorney did not immediately respond to Law&Crime’s request for comment.
A neighbor who contacted police reported hearing someone cry “He stabbed me!” the night Lerond was discovered bleeding heavily in his yard, according to Lawandcrime.
Neighbors recalled a horrible scene: Hayden Lerond’s father was reportedly in the yard, writhing from the attack, while his son stood above him, blood everywhere and clutching the purported murder weapon, a huge silver knife.
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KVUE said that the 51-year-old guy was stabbed at least seven times in the chest, with such force that his ribs were cracked.
There was also an 8-inch cut along James Lerond’s neck. His son is suspected of puncturing his jugular veins.
The Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS attempted to save James Lerond’s life, but he was declared dead on the scene at 6:05 p.m., barely 26 minutes after police received the stabbing report.
At this point, it is unclear what inspired the suspected murder. Officers stated Hayden Lerond refused to answer questions when they discovered him.