Man charged with murder in his grandmother’s death

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MO (KFVS) - A Bismarck, Missouri man has been charged in connection with the death of his grandmother.

Aaron Jeremiah Wilkinson, 28, was charged with first-degree murder.

Deputies were called November 11 to the central area of Washington County where they took Aaron Wilkinson into custody.

According to the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office, Wilkinson allegedly made statements to several people in Washington County on Sunday that he had killed his grandmother, with whom he lived at the time. Washington County authorities notified Bismarck police, which led to the discovery.

Brenda S. DeClue, 67, of Bismarck, was found dead in her home in the 1000 block of Veranda Drive on Sunday afternoon by Bismarck police during a well-being check.

According to the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office, evidence at the scene made it apparent that DeClue’s death was neither accidental, nor self-inflicted.

According to the St. Francois County Coroner James Coplin, an autopsy conducted on Monday showed DeClue’s cause of death was blunt force head trauma.

Wilkinson remains in custody on a $1 million bond.