Tucson man accused in mom's death says he heard voices, court document shows

A Pima County man accused in the killing of his elderly mother this week told investigators he’d been hearing voices, a court document shows.

Derek Cheney, 38, has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the death of his mother, Bonita Cheney, 83.

Deputies said Cheney was the sole caretaker for his mother at the time of her death, according to a complaint filed in Pima County Justice Court.

Cheney said he thought his mother was near death and that he had killed her with the “intent to help her die,” police records show.

Deputies did not reveal Bonita Cheney’s cause of death.

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The incident started about 6 p.m. on March 26 after Cheney called medics to the Cheney home in the 8400 block of South Kolb Road saying his mother was not moving, the court document says.

Medics called the sheriff’s department.

Neighbors told investigators that Cheney had been exhibiting unusual behavior, and continuous banging sounds had been coming from inside the home.

Cheney allegedly told paramedics that he had assisted with his mother’s death, the court document says. He later told deputies her death was an “accident.”

Cheney was arrested and booked into the Pima County jail. Bond was set at $75,000.