In Lakes Wales, Florida, a tragic incident unfolded as Stephan Thomas Rodda (pictured above), a Florida man, was taken into custody on Monday, September 4. He is accused of the murder of his 16-year-old son inside a mobile home located in Polk County, Florida.
The weapon reportedly used in this shocking crime was an angle grinder, according to the sheriff's office.
The victim, Stephen Lee Rodda, was a 16-year-old student enrolled in the 11th grade at Frostproof High School.
The arrest of his father, Stephan Thomas Rodda, has sent shockwaves through the community.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, addressing the media during a press conference after the arrest, described the senior Rodda as "evil."
He expressed the deep sorrow and horror felt by the community, stating, "It breaks our heart; there aren't adequate words to explain how horrific this event is."
The circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Stephen Lee Rodda are deeply unsettling. The teenager had been staying with his 67-year-old grandfather, Thomas Rodda, at the mobile home to assist him while his grandma was receiving medical treatment.
Thomas Rodda returned home around 11 am on the fateful day, having gone to visit his wife in treatment earlier. To his profound shock, he discovered his grandson, Lee Rodda, "deceased in the dining room area" of the mobile home.
Stephan Rodda's arrest occurred when he attempted to flee the crime scene in the 2500 block of Old Bartow Road in Lake Wales, Florida. Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspect used an angle grinder—an electric tool used for cutting, grinding, and polishing objects—to commit the heinous act.
An angle grinder
The motive behind this tragic murder is still under investigation.
Sheriff Judd shared heartbreaking insights into the victim's life, describing him as "a great kid" who had ambitious plans for the future.
Lee Rodda was set to begin working at Burger King the following week to save money for a car and was also pursuing a career as an electrician, a dream he was actively pursuing.
According to Sheriff Judd, Stephan Rodda had recently arrived in Lake Wales after moving around the country, including stops in Washington, D.C., and Ohio.
Additionally, there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest from South Carolina, although the specifics of the warrant were not disclosed.
The grandfather, Thomas Rodda, revealed that Stephan Rodda had struggled with methamphetamine use since high school and had previously experienced psychotic episodes.
Bizarre behavior was not uncommon for his son, according to Thomas Rodda's account.
Stephan Rodda attempted to leave the county, but deputies apprehended him a mile from the residence on Highway 60.
While he faced a specific charge, details about the nature of the charge were not available as of the afternoon of September 4.
In another news, an investigation is underway in Chicago after a woman died during a home Invasion. See detailed story here.
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