Adoptee Charged in Adoptive Father’s Death

“The adopted son of one of two men found murdered in their Godfrey home was charged Friday with multiple felonies.

Robert “Bob” Andrews, 59, and Leonard “Jim” Ebrey, 67, were both found stabbed to death after emergency personnel responded to a report of a house fire at their home in the …, Godfrey.

Bryce V. Andrews, 22, of the same address, was charged Wednesday with four counts of first degree murder, all Class M felonies; aggravated arson, a Class X felony; offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony; and two counts of concealment of a homicidal death, both Class 3 felonies.

He was the adopted son of Robert Andrews.

Bryce Andrews was named as a “person of interest” in the case Thursday. Charges had been filed Wednesday and suppressed until the suspect was in custody.

Bryce Andrews was taken into custody at a St. Louis area hospital at about 10:30 a.m. Friday, and is awaiting extradition to Illinois. Bail was set at $1 million.

Madison County Sheriff John Lakin; Lt. Brian Koberna, of the Sheriff’s department and a deputy commander with the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis; and Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine spoke at a press conference early Friday afternoon at the Madison County Sheriff’s Department.

If convicted, Andrews could face a natural life sentence, according to Haine.

Koberna would not discuss whether Bryce Andrews was injured in the incident, but noted it was a “violent crime involving stabbing or cuts.”

The announcement followed an intense investigation by the Major Case Squad on Monday. Lakin praised the squad, noting there were about 29 investigators involved.

“It’s a testament to their professionalism and dedication to the citizens of our area,” he said. “I think these guys did a great job.”

The incident began with a 911 call reporting a residential fire at 2301 Wedgewood Drive at about 6:04 a.m. Monday. The area has an Alton mailing address but is in Godfrey.

Firefighters discovered the victims, who had been stabbed to death.

Koberna called the murders a “heinous attack.”

“After the homicide, Bryce set fire to the residence. He also stole the victims’ vehicle and it was subsequently located in North St. Louis,” Koberna said.

Investigators found “numerous” pieces of evidence, which Koberna declined to discuss.

“Our team worked tirelessly throughout this investigation,” he said. “Our investigation shows Bryce is responsible for all those charges.”

“This has been a really tough week for Madison County,” Haine said. “We’ve had a number of very difficult cases that have occurred.

“At least the community can take solace in one fact,” he said “In this case it was not a random act of violence. This was not an invasion of a home by an outsider. This was an internal, terrible tragedy.”

Haine noted that the investigation is ongoing.”

Adopted son charged in ‘heinous attack’

[The Telegraph 2/5/2021 ]

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