Glendale man charged in killing of grandparents with ax

A 34-year-old man has been charged with using an ax to kill his grandparents in their Glendale home last month, prosecutors said.

Nathaniel Wayne Scheiern faces two counts of capital murder in the deaths of his grandparents, who were found dead June 28 in the home they shared for more than 20 years, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

The case against Scheiern alleges he used an ax to commit the slayings.

Glendale police said they went to the couple’s home in the 600 block of Alexander Street after a relative reported having not heard from them.

Officers arrived to find the door open and inside a bedroom, they discovered Verna Scheiern, 82, and William Scheiern, 77.

Police believe the couple were killed either June 24 or June 25, according to prosecutors.

Soon after the couple were found, Glendale police said their grandson was identified as a person of interest in the deaths.

But detectives weren’t immediately able to interview Nathaniel Scheiern because he was seriously injured in a single-vehicle accident June 25 on the 5 Freeway, said Glendale police Sgt. Robert William.

After waiting several days for Scheiern to recover from his injuries, police arrested him last Thursday.

Prosecutor Tamu Usher is requesting that Scheiern be held without bail.

The district attorney’s office has not decided whether it will seek the death penalty or life without the possibility of parole.

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