FERGUSON, Mo. — A man has been charged in the death of his mother, whose body was found Monday morning in a Ferguson backyard.
Rodney Hubbard, 32, was charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action and tampering with physical evidence.
Just before 2:30 a.m., Ferguson police officers responded to a call for a welfare check in the 7400 block of Blanding Drive in Ferguson. When officers arrived, they found a woman unresponsive in the backyard of a home and covered in plastic, with a bedsheet, comforter, tree branches and a wheelbarrow on top of her, a probable cause statement said. She had multiple blunt-force injuries to her face and the back of her head.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified her Thursday as 62-year-old Rochelle Hubbard.
St. Louis County police said the suspect and the victim lived at the same address. They said Rochelle was Rodney's mother.
Ferguson police requested the St. Louis County Police Department take over the investigation into the woman's death.
A police investigation led to Rodney Hubbard, who made "several incriminating statements" to police throughout the investigation, the probable cause statement said.
Kashia Harris moved into the neighborhood two months ago and lives a couple of doors down from where the crime happened. She called what happened "shocking" and recalled making small talk with her now-deceased neighbor. Her dog's bark during the early morning hours was the only thing that alerted her that something was wrong.
"I've only been here for two months, we talked right after I moved in. She just asked how do I like the house?" Harris said.
Harris has a soon-to-be 3-year-old daughter and says the crime is another reason to beef up her security system.
One year ago in June 2022, another homicide happened at the home where a man was found dead on his living room floor. Shots were fired from outside the home and struck him.
"It's like now you have to be more protective, have more protection and invest in cameras," Harris said.
Neighbors on the street told 5 On Your Side police were asking residents for Ring camera footage.
"This is tragic on so many levels. There are surviving family members who likely may never be able to process or heal from this type of senseless loss of life," St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell said in a statement Monday afternoon.
Rodney Hubbard is being held on a $2 million cash-only bond, with no 10% allowed.
Anyone with information on the homicide is asked to call the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. To remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers at 866-371-8477.
This is a developing story. 5 On Your Side will update information as it is confirmed.
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.