A Vancouver man has been charged in connection with the death of his elderly mother who was found deceased inside an apartment at 20 E.12th Avenue early Thursday morning.

Richard Glenn Shields, 50, is charged with second degree murder.

Around 3:30 a.m. on May 10th, Vancouver Police received a call from a man asking for assistance at a suite on East 12th Avenue. VPD Emergency Response Team members entered the apartment and during a search of the suite, they found an elderly woman deceased. Moments later, the male occupant of the suite was taken into custody.

The woman has since been identified as 72 year old Ethel Fenotti. 

Investigators from the VPD Major Crime Homicide Squad were called in and have since determined that the death is a homicide. Signs of trauma were evident on the body of the deceased.

Investigators are now focusing on finding out what may have precipitated this tragedy. Police have not been to the home in the past.