A 44-year-old Indiana man faces murder and attempted murder charges after allegedly attacking his parents during an argument about the basement furnace. Jason Whitaker is accused of striking his mother with a cast-iron skillet and stabbing both parents, resulting in his father's death. Police arrested him without incident after the mother called 911.
On Sunday at around 2 a.m., Merrillville police responded to the 7400 block of Hendricks Street following a 911 call where the caller reported that 'her and her husband were being stabbed.' Officers found Jason Whitaker, 44, exiting the home with his hands up and took him into custody without incident. Inside, they aided the victims: one in stable but critical condition and the other deceased at the scene, later ruled a homicide by authorities. The deceased was identified as 74-year-old Orell Whitaker, Jason's father; his wife suffered extensive injuries including multiple stab wounds and a fractured skull requiring surgical repair with a metal plate. Jason Whitaker faces charges of murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, and multiple counts of domestic battery with a deadly weapon and resulting in serious bodily injury. He remains in custody at Lake County Detention Center without bond. According to court documents, the attack began when Jason's mother asked him to stop turning off the basement furnace. She was on the stairs when he allegedly hit her head with a cast-iron skillet and stabbed her several times. Orell Whitaker intervened, allowing his wife to escape upstairs and call police, but Jason then stabbed him multiple times in the neck and stomach—about four times, as Jason later admitted to investigators. The mother reported seeing Jason dragging his father by the feet along the basement floor. When police entered, Jason held a bloody knife believed used in the stabbing. He claimed self-defense and alleged his parents confined him in the basement and committed crimes, but police found no supporting evidence. A relative told authorities Jason suffers from schizophrenia. The couple had previously evicted him but allowed his return after he accrued high hotel bills. Police described the incident as isolated with no further public threat.
