SPRINGFIELD, Missouri — A Des Moines man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his father.
According to a news release from the Springfield Police Department, Joshua Masterson, 36, was arrested for alleged second-degree murder and put into Greene County Jail with no bond.
On August 22, at 12:09 a.m., officers were summoned to a home for a report of a man attempting to strangle his father. Investigators spoke with the victim, Michael Masterson, age 62, of Springfield. His kid, Joshua, was discovered a few blocks away.
According to Michael, Joshua had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was on his way to the hospital for a probable morphine overdose. Michael did not want Joshua to drive himself and clashed with his son over his car keys. Michael was hit and strangled during the altercation. When Michael escaped, 911 was called.
According to authorities, Joshua was brought to the hospital for medical care, while Michael remained at home. Officers left the house at 12:43 a.m., but three minutes later, a 911 call was made reporting that Michael was unresponsive inside.
Michael was taken to the hospital, where he eventually died. According to the Greene County Medical Examiner’s Office postmortem report, Michael suffered a cardiovascular crisis as a result of the altercation and Joshua’s choking.
Investigators are requesting anyone with further information about this incident to contact SPD at 417-864-1810, Crime Stoppers at 417-869-8477, or online.