A Massachusetts man accused of killing his parents during a family vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands then fleeing St. Thomas had for years struggled with mental illness and substance abuse, friends and neighbors of the slain couple say.
Mikhail Brian Young was apprehended in his hometown outside of Boston after authorities discovered the bloody bodies of his parents, Kenneth and Jane Young of Sudbury, in a condominium they had rented to celebrate their retirement. The 24-year-old son, who authorities say left the island on a flight on Saturday, is being held on fugitive charges in Massachusetts. He's expected to face charges for the murder of his parents in St. Thomas.
The news rippled through the wealthy communities where the well-liked couple, Ken and Jane Young, had lived with their son, who friends say was adopted along with his sister from Russia when they were children.
"They're just the loveliest people. I'm still in shock," another friend and neighbor, Connie Marotta said.
Friends of the family said the 24-year-old has a history of mental illness. Several restraining orders mark his relationship with his parents.
"He could get uncontrollable. Verbally for sure and I guess physically, on occasion," said friend and neighbor Graham Taylor. "It's just unfortunate and shows you how deep some of these psychological problems can go."
Young was arrested Monday night at their Goodmans Hill Road home on a warrant for probation violation on a charge of indecent exposure.
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But not everyone was aware of the trouble, including their next door neighbors.
"He's around. He helped us with our ice on the roof. He wasn't anyone I was (worried about). He seems very nice," Marotta said
Jane Young, who was 66, retired in January after teaching math for 17 years at Lincoln-Sudbury High School. Marotta, whose son was in her class, remembered her as "fabulous" and a "wonderful teacher." Ken Young was 73, was also retired.
Friends say the couple tried hard to help their son overcome his alcohol abuse and find his way.
"Despite the fact that you knew that he was disturbed. For them to take him down on this trip, to give him that trip," Taylor said, shaking his head and sighing.
Young's lawyer said he has mental health issues and requested a competency hearing.
Officials in the Virgin Islands said two police officers will be sent to Massachusetts to bring Young back to face murder charges, according to The Associated Press. In Massachusetts, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Young has not waived extradition and is scheduled for a May 12 status hearing in a Framingham court.
"We are heartbroken by the loss of our brother and his wonderful wife Jane," said the family in a statement. "We truly appreciate the outpouring of support that we have received, and at this time we ask everyone to please respect our privacy during our grieving process."
