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Wisconsin Teen Charged with Homicide Inspired by Documentary

A 15-year-old boy in Wisconsin has been charged with homicide following the alleged fatal stabbing of his mother. The teenager, Reed R. Gelinskey, reportedly claimed that his actions were influenced by the Netflix documentary The Menendez Brothers, which recounts the notorious case of two brothers convicted of murdering their parents.

According to documents from the Racine County District Attorney’s Office, Gelinskey was charged with first-degree intentional homicide on March 6. Reports from local media outlets, including WISN, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Fox 6 detail that police intervention began after a witness received a disturbing Snapchat message from Gelinskey that included an image of his mother surrounded by blood.

Officers arrived at the family’s home in Caledonia, near Racine, to find Gelinskey outside, who reportedly dropped a kitchen knife as he approached them. He expressed a desire for the officers to kill him and acknowledged his mother’s death, stating, “she is dead from what I did,” which further prompted police to take him into custody. Additionally, they noted Gelinskey’s clothing was blood-stained.

The criminal complaint reveals that Gelinskey made a shocking admission, indicating that he struck his mother with a dumbbell in order to incapacitate her before using a knife to inflict fatal wounds. His account suggests that he had returned home in a distressed state and harbored violent impulses directed toward his parents.

Investigators indicated that Gelinskey may have been under the influence of anxiety medication, having taken approximately nine pills prior to the incident. Moreover, he reported searching for a hammer prior to his mother’s death, intending to use it against his father when he returned from work but could not find one.

On that fateful evening, after dinner, Gelinskey and his mother watched a documentary about the Menendez brothers. Gelinskey later claimed that this film sparked his plan to kill his parents, especially inspired by what he referred to as the “shotgun scene” in the documentary.

Allegations state that Gelinskey struck his mother twice on the head with the dumbbell and subsequently stabbed her multiple times. According to the complaint, in a moment of alarming clarity, his mother questioned him, “Why?” to which he responded simply, “Pain.”

Key Details of the Case

Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson characterized the incident as a premeditated and violent offense, emphasizing the serious nature of the crime and the realization that Gelinskey’s intentions extended beyond just one victim. His father has expressed a desire for contact with his son, a request that was granted by a judge.

Due to the severity of the charges, Gelinskey has been charged as an adult and is currently detained in a juvenile facility, with a bond set at $1 million. The ongoing legal proceedings keep the community and investigators closely monitoring the developments surrounding this tragic case.

Source
people.com