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Police: Man allegedly murdered by his son in ‘very violent assault’

Posted at 7:18 AM, Aug 01, 2014
and last updated 2014-08-02 00:03:50-04

SALT LAKE CITY - Officials have identified the man found beaten to death in his home, and the victim's son has been taken into custody as a suspect in the victim's death.

According to Unified Police, 70-year-old Dennis Robbins was found dead in his Olympus Cove home, 4465 S. Matthews Way, at about 7 a.m. Friday.

His son, 29-year-old Christopher L. Robbins, is the suspect in custody. Public records show Christopher is a convicted sex offender. Authorities said he may have a history of mental illness and are investigating.

Officers said a family altercation was reported just before Dennis Robbins was found dead, and police found Chris Robbins inside the home when they arrived.

Lt. Justin Hoyal of the Unified Police Department said evidence indicates the victim suffered blunt force trauma and that a weapon was used in the attack.

"We believe that he was the victim of a very violent assault that had taken place," Hoyal said.

Earlier Friday, the bomb squad was called in to investigate when officials said explosives might be inside the home, but no explosives were found.

Neighbors spoke to FOX 13 News and said the man and his father had been having some issues lately.

"Chris didn't seem to be a violent person at all," Neighbor Rob Petersen said. "I know I've been talking to one other neighbor that has talked to Chris in the last week quite a bit, and Chris was upset at something, I don't now what it was... you'd have to talk to that person, but he was not himself and thought there was something wrong with the way Chris was acting."

Chris Robbins has been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, where he is facing homicide charges.