Palm Beach County Sheriff's officials say a 49-year-old former prosecutor beat his parents with a crowbar, killing his 83-year-old mother.
The attack occurred Tuesday as Thomas and Delena Schnieders were on their way to church. Deputies say 84-year-old Thomas Schnieders says he made it out alive by playing dead inside his Lake Worth house for hours.
The Palm Beach Post reports Thomas Schnieders II was diagnosed with schizophrenia seven months ago. He had lived with his parents for five years.
Schnieders had been an assistant state attorney in Palm Beach County more than a decade ago but his law license was no longer valid, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
According to a sheriff's office report, the son became angry with his parents because they'd scheduled a doctor's appointment for June 30.
The younger Schnieders was ordered held without bail. Lawyer Michael Salnic has declined comment.
The father was treated and released from the hospital.
