A shocking murder case in western New York has unfolded as Richard Fluegel Jr. was arrested for allegedly killing his father and delivering the body to authorities.
At a Glance
- Richard Fluegel Jr. charged with murdering his father, Richard Fluegel Sr.
- The son allegedly shot his father twice with a 12-gauge shotgun in Ossian, Livingston County
- Fluegel Jr. brought his father’s body and a defense attorney to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office
- The suspect faces charges including second-degree murder and tampering with evidence
- Investigation ongoing, with potential links to a legal cannabis business operation
Grim Discovery and Arrest
In a disturbing turn of events, Richard Fluegel Jr. has been arrested and charged with the murder of his father, Richard Fluegel Sr., in western New York. The case took a bizarre twist when Fluegel Jr. arrived at the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office with his father’s body wrapped in a tarp, accompanied by his defense attorney.
The incident, which spanned over three days and involved two counties, began when Richard Fluegel Sr., 60, was reported missing after leaving Irondequoit. His vehicle was later discovered in the Village of Dansville, Livingston County, raising suspicions about his whereabouts.
Unusual Surrender and Crime Scene
The case took an unprecedented turn when Fluegel Jr.’s lawyer, Brian DeCarolis, made a 911 call to report the presence of a dead body in the parking lot of the Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Thomas Dougherty expressed his astonishment at the unusual nature of the incident.
“As far as the call into dispatch saying that they wanted to turn in a deceased body, that’s very abnormal, as you can imagine,” said Dougherty.
Investigators believe Richard Fluegel Sr. was fatally shot at Bonner Road in Ossian, Livingston County. After executing a search warrant, law enforcement recovered the weapon believed to be used in the murder. The younger Fluegel allegedly shot his father twice with a 12-gauge shotgun on the property.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Richard Fluegel Jr. now faces serious charges, including second-degree murder, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, and second-degree tampering with physical evidence. Given his two previous felony convictions, he is being held without bail. Fluegel Jr. entered a not guilty plea during his initial court appearance and is scheduled to return to court.
The district attorney’s office has not commented on Fluegel Jr.’s representation, and no attorney for him is currently listed in public records.
Potential Motive and Ongoing Investigation
As the investigation continues, authorities are exploring potential motives for the crime. Of particular interest is Fluegel Jr.’s alleged attempt to start a marijuana grow operation on Bonner Road. Sheriff Dougherty referred to it as “some sort of marijuana grow operation,” suggesting a possible link between the murder and the suspect’s business ventures.
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office is leading the ongoing homicide investigation, working to uncover all the details surrounding this tragic and bizarre case. As the community grapples with the shocking nature of the crime, authorities have reassured the public that there is no remaining threat to their safety.
“Livingston County is a safe place. This kind of stuff doesn’t happen. We don’t have people just show up and say they have a dead body with them and they’d like to turn in. It’s not common,” said the Sheriff.
