May 7, 2010
Esther Ayodele immigrated to the United States from Nigeria four years ago so her son could care for her in her old age. But instead of taking care of the 82-year-old, her son, identified as Ige Adegbola, abused her and, on Thursday night, beat her to death, police said.
Cops were called to Adegbola's home, on Apsley Street near Wayne Avenue in Germantown, Thursday night for a report of a death.
Ayodele was found with blunt-force trauma to her head and body, police said.
Yesterday, as homicide investigators questioned Adegbola, 62, detectives and crime-scene unit officers processed the dilapidated home where Ayodele died.
As they photographed stained mattresses, rummaged through trash and brought out the elderly woman's cane in an evidence bag, neighbors watched in shock.
"We didn't even know the lady lived there," said Renee Broomer, a neighbor. "There are three sides to every story, but I don't think we'll ever know the truth. It's horrible, though, it being Mother's Day. You only get one natural mother."
Neighbors said they rarely saw Adegbola, who also lived in the home with his two sons, and then only when he came out to do work on his house.
"I don't know if he was aggressive with anyone else, but he always spoke to me and was nice to me," said Baptista Marrow.
Another neighbor, Denayah Pringle, said: "That's crazy. She brought you into this world, and, if it wasn't for her, you wouldn't be here."
Jeannette Williams agreed.
"It was his mother and another human being. It's just so pathetic," she said.
Adegbola faces charges of murder and possessing an instrument of crime, police said.
-CHRISTINE OLLEY
Philadelphia Daily News
[email protected] 215-854-5184
Cops were called to Adegbola's home, on Apsley Street near Wayne Avenue in Germantown, Thursday night for a report of a death.
Ayodele was found with blunt-force trauma to her head and body, police said.
Yesterday, as homicide investigators questioned Adegbola, 62, detectives and crime-scene unit officers processed the dilapidated home where Ayodele died.
As they photographed stained mattresses, rummaged through trash and brought out the elderly woman's cane in an evidence bag, neighbors watched in shock.
"We didn't even know the lady lived there," said Renee Broomer, a neighbor. "There are three sides to every story, but I don't think we'll ever know the truth. It's horrible, though, it being Mother's Day. You only get one natural mother."
Neighbors said they rarely saw Adegbola, who also lived in the home with his two sons, and then only when he came out to do work on his house.
"I don't know if he was aggressive with anyone else, but he always spoke to me and was nice to me," said Baptista Marrow.
Another neighbor, Denayah Pringle, said: "That's crazy. She brought you into this world, and, if it wasn't for her, you wouldn't be here."
Jeannette Williams agreed.
"It was his mother and another human being. It's just so pathetic," she said.
Adegbola faces charges of murder and possessing an instrument of crime, police said.
-CHRISTINE OLLEY
Philadelphia Daily News
[email protected] 215-854-5184
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