For Immediate Release

Aug. 27, 2019

A 38-year-old Independence man has been charged in the fatal beating of his mother insider an Independence residence, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.

Lucas Mauritzen, dob: 5/13/1981, faces Murder 1st Degree and Armed Criminal Action charges.*

According to court records filed today, the depfendant was found by police at the scene when they responded to a call about his mother's welfare. A caller to police stated that the man who lived at the residence in the 9500 block of East 14th Street in Independence had told someone he had killed his mother. Officers found the woman, deceased and lying on the floor inside the front door. The victim was identified as Tamera Rainey. A neighbor told police the defendant contacted him on the front porth and stated, "I had to put her down." When the neighbor asked if he was referring to a dog, the defendant responded, "Mom." After obtaining a search warrant, police observed blood and blood splatter in each room of the house. The defendant told police detectives how he hit his mom with his fists and objects from inside the home. He assaulted her all day, and after she died he left with the dog and slept at a friend's house. He returned to the residence the next day, then walked to the neighbor's house and told him he "had to put her down." 

Prosecutors requested a bond of $350,000 cash.

For more information, contact:

Michael Mansur

Director of Communication

Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office

Jean Peters Baker, Prosecutor

Work   : (816) 881-3812

Mobile: (816) 674-3954

mmansur@jacksongov.org

http://jacksoncountyprosecutor.com

*Charges are only accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until the defendant is either found guilty or has pleaded.