Jonathan Turk, 29, allegedly used a hammer and knife to kill both of his parents inside their Peoria, Arizona home before calling 911 himself and calmly confessing to the dispatcher that he committed "a murder" — his parents.
Background
Investigators say Turk went to a Walmart store on the same day as the double killing and was captured on surveillance footage purchasing the hammer police believe he later used in the attack. According to court documents, Turk's mental health had been declining since 2023 and his family attempted to get him help multiple times over the years, including three separate occasions immediately before the murders.
When officers arrived at the family's residence, they found "blood evidence" on the kitchen floor and stairs. Turk's father, Fraser Turk, was discovered "covered in blood" with at least one stab wound on the first landing of the staircase. His mother, Tina Turk, was found unresponsive inside the master bathroom showing signs of head trauma. Paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced both parents deceased.
The Investigation
During the 911 call obtained by AZFamily, Turk spoke in a calm manner as he explained what happened. "They're lying on the floor," he told the dispatcher. "I was angry with them." He further stated that he had killed his mother and father because they put him on medication.
The arrest affidavit states Turk told dispatchers he would be waiting outside with a water bottle in hand and would cooperate with arriving officers. "He advised he would cooperate," the document says.
As officers cleared the residence, they discovered a hammer and knife with apparent blood evidence inside a trashcan in an upstairs bedroom — allegedly the weapons used in the attack. During a custodial interview, and after being read his Miranda rights, Turk declined to make any additional statements about the killings.
Turk has been charged with two counts of murder and is being held on a $2 million cash-only bond. The case remains under investigation by local authorities in Maricopa County.
Key Takeaways
- Jonathan Turk allegedly confessed to killing both parents during a calm 911 call, saying "I was angry with them" regarding medication they gave him
- Surveillance footage allegedly shows Turk purchasing the hammer at Walmart hours before the murders
- Both victims — Fraser and Tina Turk — were found with traumatic injuries in different areas of the family home
- Family members had tried to get Turk mental health help multiple times, including three occasions right before the killings
- Turk is charged with two counts of murder and being held on $2 million cash-only bond
What's Next
Turk will face preliminary hearings in Maricopa County Justice Court as his case moves through the criminal justice system. Authorities continue their investigation while defense attorneys prepare their response to the murder charges.