WALNUT CREEK — A man who allegedly stabbed his mother to death inside the apartment they shared appeared to be under the influence of drugs when police arrived, and was heard screaming profanities at his mother before the stabbing, authorities revealed this week.
Nicholas Roth, 39, faces charges of murdering his mother, 74-year-old Darlene Roth inside their Walnut Creek apartment on Jones Road. According to police statements in court records, after the stabbing, Darlene Roth was able to make it to a neighboring apartment and scream for help, but collapsed inside the neighboring residence a short time later.
When police arrived, early in the morning of Nov. 8, Nicholas Roth, a part time employee for Bay Area News Group, allegedly told responding officers, “I just stabbed my mom.” He appeared to be sweating, police said, although it was 40 degrees outside.
During a search of the home, police found methadone, marijuana, and a “blue cooler filled with various drugs,” according to court records. Authorities also wrote in court records Roth has an “extensive” history of drug-related offenses.
Neighbors later told authorities that the Roths were having a loud argument shortly before the early morning stabbing — and that they heard Nicholas Roth yell, “I’m going to (expletive) stab you, (expletive)” — but that the nature of the argument was unclear.
Darlene Roth was active in the Walnut Creek community, and city councilman Kevin Wilk wrote in a Facebook post saying he was “just devastated” to learn she was killed. He described her as “an enthusiastic and energetic volunteer in many community wide events.”
Nicholas Roth remains in jail in lieu of more than $1 million bail.
Source: www.mercurynews.com