An 88-year-old man has been formally charged in the stabbing death of his sister in Birmingham.
Police Tuesday night announced Joshua Underwood has been charged with murder. His sister, 86-year-old Garland Perry, was found slain Monday morning in the Smithfield Estates home the two shared.
Officers were called to the home on Brookfield Lane on the city’s west side about 8:43 a.m. Monday after Perry’s daughter called 911. The daughter told police that her mother’s brother had fled the home and was covered in blood.
Police arrived on the scene and entered the home to find Perry unresponsive. She was pronounced dead a short time later.
Police immediately launched a search for the suspect. Crime scene tape was set up and detectives were on the scene.
Sometime later, officers suddenly noticed Underwood on the ground and concealed in a large cactus bush. It appeared he was passed out. When officers rushed to him, however, he lifted up his head. Sgt. Rod Mauldin said he appeared somewhat disoriented.
“He was trying to hide,” Mauldin said. “With him being in his 80s, we knew he couldn’t have made it far.”
Underwood was treated on the scene by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service and then transported to the hospital where he remains under police guard for evaluation. Once released, he will be taken to the Jefferson County Jail and held on $60,000 bond.