PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Chad Brix, who at one time was a civil engineer and owned a construction company before mental illness took over, pleaded guilty to stabbing his mother to death as she slept in his Lake Oswego home in 2024.
The 53-year-old pleaded guilty to murder except for insanity on Tuesday, the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office said.
More than 15 years ago, Chad Brix was diagnosed with schizophrenia and suffered from paranoid delusions, impulsivity and auditory hallucinations. He’d been hospitalized several times, the Clackamas County DA said.
On February 1, 2024, Virginia Brix drove from her home near Seattle to visit Chad. She was appointed his legal guardian in 2022 and called him daily and visited frequently, family members said in court. She also paid his rent and financially supported him over the years.
In court, Chad’s brother Todd said his mother would leave Chad if she felt she was in danger and they even had a code word they used.
While Virginia slept at the Lake Oswego home, Chad stabbed his 78-year-old mother in the chest with a kitchen knife, then texted his father to say he killed her. He then told police he stabbed her because he believed his mom drugged him.
In court, Chad Brix’s daughters and ex-wife told the judge he was a good father and husband before his mental illness. His unpredictable behavior, which led to divorce, bankruptcy and being alienated from his family, filled their lives with anxiety and fear.
“He was at war with his own mind,” one of his daughters said.
When he pleaded guilty, Chad Brix cried when he addressed his family, the DA said.
“I sincerely apologize. I didn’t mean to do it. I’m so sorry.”
Brix was sent to the Oregon State Hospital and will be under the jurisdiction of the state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board, the DA said.
Tim Steele
Source link