Rancho Bernardo Couple Beaten; 1 Dead

A Rancho Bernardo woman was beaten to death and her husband was critically injured by an assailant who apparently attempted to rob them, police said Thursday.

Police want to question the woman’s son, Bradley Charles Parlin, 28, in connection with the death of Jean Eckroad and the beating of Wallace Eckroad, both of whom suffered severe head injuries. Neighbors heard Parlin speeding away from the couple’s home in the 17000 block of Abra Way about 6:30 a.m. He is believed to be in the couple’s van, police spokesman Dave Cohen said.

Wallace Eckroad was in critical condition at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, a spokeswoman said.

Robbery appears to be the motive for the attack, Cohen said. A man’s wallet was found in the kitchen with its contents strewn about, he said.

Police were called to check on the couple’s welfare when they failed to meet friends Thursday morning, Cohen said. Officers who arrived at the home shortly after 11 a.m. found Jean Eckroad, 64, dead at the scene, and her 76-year-old husband severely injured.

The couple apparently were bludgeoned, said Lt. Dan Berglund, head of the Police Department’s Homicide Division. A weapon was discovered, but Berglund declined to identify it.

It was unclear precisely when the attack took place, Berglund said.

Jean Eckroad’s death is the 131st criminal homicide in San Diego this year, well ahead of the record pace set in 1988, Berglund said.

Parlin is described as a 5-foot-11, 150-pound white man with blond hair and blue eyes. He may be driving a yellow, 1985 Chevrolet van with California license plate 2S41924 that is believed to be missing from the home.