38-year-old Mark Runyon is facing a first-degree murder charge for the death of his father Frank Runyon.
A Peoria County Grand Jury returned that charge coupled with criminal neglect of the elderly on Tuesday. The state alleges the junior Runyon struck his 74-year-old father and knowingly withheld medical treatment costing him his life.
Preliminary autopsy results show Frank Runyon died from multiple blunt force injuries, including head and chest trauma. When police arrived at the Runyon home on May 2, they spent about 30 minutes trying to gain access. Upon entering the South Stanley residence Mark Runyon was arrested for Abuse or Neglect of the Elderly. The first-degree murder charge comes with $1 million bond.
Frank Runyon was pronounced dead on May 7.