Son Accused in Beating Death

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police detectives arrested a man for the brutal death of his mother.

On January 21, 2009 at about 1:10 a.m., Mission Area Patrol officers responded to a radio call in the 16000 block of Yarnell Street in Sylmar. When officers arrived at the residence, they were met by a male and his female companion.  Once the officers entered the home, they found 65-year-old Sheila Elaine Vandenandel unconscious and the apparent victim of a beating.  The weapon used is believed to be an aluminum baseball bat.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics responded and pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

The Detectives’s investigation revealed that the man, identified as 29-year-old, Erik Christian Vandenandel was the victim’s son and responsible for her murder.  Vandenandel was arrested and is being held in lieu of $1 million dollars bail.

The motive for this murder is still under investigation.

Anyone with information about this case, is asked to contact Mission Homicide Detectives 818 -838-9810.  After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD.  Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapd online.org.  All tips are anonymous.