Killer son jailed for 60 years
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY (AP) - A 22-year-old man who scrawled 'Mom' and 'Mom and Dad' on shotgun cartridges before killing his parents was sentenced to 60 years in prison yesterday.
Judge Michael Imbriani told Matthew Heikkila that the murdered couple, Richard and Dawn Heikkila, 'showered you with an abundance of love. They wanted you to cease acting like a spoiled child, to stop mooching off of their hard-earned money and to start standing on your own two feet. You showed your appreciation by murdering them'.
Heikkila also took cash and credit cards from his parents' bodies before handcuffing his girlfriend and forcing her to stay in the house overnight with the bodies before he fled the country. He was captured in Jamaica a month after the killings.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments