ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A 52-year-old man accused of murdering his mother in their home refused to participate in his arraignment on Tuesday afternoon.
Chad Kaska faces three charges of murder and two charges of tampering with evidence after his mother, 69-year-old Cristy Kaska, was found deceased in their home on Jan. 7. According to court documents, Kaska was found by Palmer police officers sweeping the kitchen floor in the home. His father, Gary Kaska, had called 911 after finding his wife on the floor and not sure if she was breathing.
Officers found Cristy’s body in a bedroom under a blanket. She was declared dead at the scene, according to court documents. They also noticed broken glass, blood stains, knife holes in a bedroom door, and a broken bathroom sink. Clothing with blood was found in a running washing machine inside the residence.
A kitchen knife was found next to a bed in what officers believed to be Chad’s bedroom. Upon questioning at the Palmer Police Department, Chad told officers that he was trying to save his mother after someone had murdered her. His public defender has filed a motion for a competency evaluation.
In a Palmer courtroom Tuesday, the arraignment was rescheduled for Wednesday. It is unknown whether Kaska will refuse to participate again.