Edmond Man Charged With Murder In Elderly Aunt's Death

An affidavit revealed a suspect in the death of an 89-year-old woman admitted to putting her in a "death lock" before using his foot to trap her head underwater in a bathtub.

Ronald Sparks, 47, is charged with first-degree murder for the death of his aunt, Bernice Daugherty. Sparks lived with Daugherty and his mother, the victim's sister, in a house in Edmond in the 1000 block of East Edwards.

5/14/2012 Related Story: Edmond Man Admits To Murder Of His Elderly Aunt

Police said Daugherty's death on May 18 immediately appeared suspicious because of blood in the bathroom and bruises on the victim's body. When police questioned Sparks, he told them his mother and aunt "were the most evil people that he had ever met." He also said his aunt was trying to kill him.

According to court papers, Sparks filled a bathtub with water. He told investigators he put Daugherty in a "Chinese death lock" before putting her face down in the water. He said he put his foot on the back of her head to keep it under water.

5/13/2012 Related Story: Edmond Man Arrested After Elderly Woman's Body Found In Tub

Police said Sparks told them he hoped the murder would look like Daugherty had an accident or a medical emergency. They said he also tried to stage the scene by putting her broken eyeglasses into the bathtub and putting one slipper on her foot.