A U.S. Merchant Marine student is nearing trial in Indiana for allegedly strangling his mother to death after she served him an eviction notice demanding he find a job and keep his room and common areas of the home clean.
Connor Cobbold, 20, confessed to the heinous crimes soon after police arrived in February at the Valparaiso home he shares with his mother, Chanel Barnes, an assistant president at Loyola University Chicago. According to court documents obtained by the Chicago Tribune:.
The man reportedly told officers he had “killed someone” and asked to be handcuffed after telling them the location of his mother, who was still alive.
Mr Barnes had shackling marks around his neck and was rushed to hospital with suspected brain injuries, but died from his injuries two days later.
Her cause of death was determined to be asphyxiation due to manual strangulation.
Cobbold is accused of murdering his mother after Barnes served Cobbold an eviction notice listing conditions he must meet within 30 days to remain in the family home.
According to the indictment, he was expected to find full-time employment, keep his room clean and help clean the common areas of the home.
According to his LinkedIn account, Kobbold was pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at the USMMA in Kings Point, Long Island.
It’s unclear why he was living at home or had dropped out of school at the time of the tragedy. The USMMA did not immediately respond to The Washington Post’s request for comment.
Cobbold has a history of mental illness and told a judge in February that he had been admitted to two psychiatric facilities and seen by five therapists, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Kobbold tried to defend himself in court, telling the judge, “I’m the only one who can explain what happened and why it happened.” Kobbold was appointed a public defender in April.
He has pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated assault and murder in connection with his mother’s death.
Burns, 43, was assistant vice president for advancement and campaign planning at Loyola University Chicago, according to the university’s website.
Her obituary tragically notes that Kobold was the most important thing in her fulfilling life.
“If you asked any of Chanel’s friends what was most important to her, they would all say ‘her son’,” her loved ones wrote.
“Chanel worked tirelessly to build an enviable life for the couple, giving her son every opportunity to succeed. She took great pride in being a mother and dedicated herself to creating a supportive and loving environment.”
