Man accused of killing mom held on $1M bond

12/10/2013

Anthony Bertolina.

THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT
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A Toledo man accused of killing his mother remained in the Lucas County jail Tuesday night in lieu of $1 million bond.

Anthony Bertolina, 34, charged with murder, is accused of using a hunting knife to stab to death Mary Bertolina, 56, according to court records.

Ms. Bertolina was found dead, wrapped in a blanket, inside her 3158 Winston St. home about 12:30 p.m. Monday.

RELATED CONTENT: 2013 Blade Homicide Report

The longtime employee of The Blade had multiple stab wounds to the chest, said Dr. James Patrick, Lucas County coroner, who formally ruled her death a homicide after an autopsy Tuesday. Ms. Bertolina also had defensive cuts on her hands, Dr. Patrick said.

Police Sgt. Joe Heffernan said Mr. Bertolina, who is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing Tuesday, did not offer investigators any information about his motive during interviews after his arrest.

A newspaper supervisor called 911 when Ms. Bertolina, a regional circulation manager, did not report to work Monday and did not respond to calls, messages, and emails. Officers went to the house and found Mr. Bertolina in his mother’s car, backing out of the driveway. Police said he initially denied officers access to the house, telling them he was late for a lunch appointment and his mother was at work, before acknowledging his mother was dead as they were about to enter the home.