Man accused of killing, decapitating his mother at Glendale apartment
GLENDALE, AZ (AZFamily) — A man has been arrested after he allegedly killed and decapitated his mother at her Glendale home over the weekend.
Alejandro David Gonzalez, 25, is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of 49-year-old Teresa De Jesus Cruz Rubio.
Warning: Graphic details ahead; discretion advised

Shortly before midnight on Friday, officers responded to an apartment on Keim Drive, near 43rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road, after a 911 caller reported finding her sister dead. The caller reported that the woman’s head had been cut off.
According to court documents, officers found Rubio under a blanket near the front door. Her head was located near the body, police say, and she also had numerous stab wounds to her abdomen, chest and arms.
Police also noted blood throughout the apartment, including on a knife block in the kitchen sink. Blood was also found in the shower that had been left turned on.
Family members told police that Rubio’s birthday would have been on Saturday. The victim’s sister reportedly spoke with Rubio shortly after 3:30 p.m., asking her to attend a family gathering later that evening that was actually going to be a surprise birthday party. Rubio agreed to come but never showed up.
Concerned family went to her apartment around 8 p.m., but there was no answer and the door was locked. They later contacted a locksmith, who opened the door.
Family members told police they believed Rubio’s son, Gonzalez, had recently been released from jail and was staying with her. They also reportedly told investigators he had a history of mental issues.
Rubio’s sister also told officers that she had recently loaned the victim a GMC Yukon, which was now missing. Video from a nearby surveillance camera showed the Yukon driving away from the apartment just before 5 p.m.
A Phoenix police officer spotted the Yukon around 2:45 a.m. the following morning at a gas station near Interstate 10 and 99th Avenue. Detectives responded to the area, and Gonzalez was taken into custody less than an hour later.
Investigators noted he had dried blood on his legs and socks.
Documents state that during an interview with detectives, Gonzalez said that his mother had picked him up from jail recently, got him some food and dropped him off at her apartment. He then reportedly admitted to smoking meth with a man on a bicycle he just met.
According to documents, Gonzalez said that the man stabbed his mom and then made him do the same. Police say there is currently no evidence that any other suspect was involved in Rubio’s death, but detectives are investigating the claims.
Criminal History
Arizona’s Family found Gonzalez had a history of meth use and mental health issues, and his crimes escalated as time went on.
Records show he has a previous conviction for aggravated assault on a police officer that stems from an incident in 2021.
On Oct. 18 of that year, court documents say that police were called to a trespassing report at a Circle K in west Phoenix and that Gonzalez punched an officer, chipping his tooth. He pleaded guilty as charged in October 2022 and was released from state custody nearly 11 months later.
Most recently, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office confirms Gonzalez was arrested last week for criminal damage after allegedly breaking a window at a Fry’s Food gas station. That case is still under investigation.
So why was he recently released from jail?
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said they didn’t have enough evidence to prosecute the case and sent it back to Phoenix PD. Because of that, Gonzalez was released on Friday.
Hours later that same day, Gonzalez allegedly killed and decapitated his mother. Officers arrested him the next day.
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