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Arrested: Tony DeClues (age:52)

Reason for arrest: Stabbing his mother to death

Victim’s name: Louise DeClues (age: 73)

Where crime occurred: New Orleans, Louisiana in the 1300 block of Cambronne Street

Motive: According to police, DeClues has confessed that he killed his mother for money to buy drugs.

Other details: Tony DeClues is being charged with first degree murder. According to the autopsy reports, Louise DeClues died from multiple stab wounds and asphyxiation. Her son might have strangled her to death or smothered her after stabbing her.

Commentary: It is always sad to read about murder of any kind. Killing the elderly rates up there with killing children. It just seems even more abhorrent than an ordinary murder if one can dare use the word ordinary in speaking of any murder. It is unfortunate that Louise DeClues had to meet such an unfortunate end. To be stabbed to death by your own son, and for your son to kill you over money to buy drugs is beyond tragic. People who knew the victim and her killer say Louise DeClues loved her son and doted on him. They remark at the irony that Louise DeClues survived numerous health problems, including breast cancer, only to have the son she loved and valued take her life because he valued drugs more than he valued his mother.