Son allegedly fatally stabbed father with sword

LANGHORNE, Pa. (WPVI) -- A 26-year-old man has been charged with fatally stabbing his father in Bucks County.

It was around 5:30 Tuesday night when 67-year-old Alan Goodrich, a retired Neshaminy school teacher who ran an antique business, was fatally stabbed inside his home on the 500 block of Trappe Lane in Langhorne.

A suspect was quickly identified - Alan's son, 26-year-old Eli Goodrich.

Middle town Police Chief Joseph Bartorilla explains, "He was arraigned at midnight. He was charged with Criminal Homicide."

It was Eli's mother, June, who called police telling them the stabbing was intentional.

According to a court affidavit, she heard Eli tell Alan, "You are not going to control my mind anymore," and that, "I have to kill you."

Later, according to the paperwork, Eli told his mother he loved her. Shortly after that she heard her husband say from a nearby room, "You're going to kill me."

Then the affidavit says June Goodrich told police she went to that room and "There she observed Alan sitting in a chair with a sword protruding from his stomach. Eli Goodrich was standing next to Alan and said 'Don't worry mom. It's a fake sword, it collapses.'"

The affidavit continues, "Eli Goodrich then pulled the sword from his father's body and June saw that the blade was covered with blood."

As a precaution June Goodrich, who has been chronically ill, was moved to a hospital last night before police informed her the stabbing was fatal.

Eli Goodrich, a 2011 graduate of St. Joseph's University, is due to be married this month. Neighbors knew him as a nice guy who had taken an active interest in the antique business, even traveling to shows with his dad.

Neighbor Barbara Burns tells us, "I thought Eli and Al, actually to me were becoming buddies, going on these antique trips. Because they were... Eli was the center of their life. They loved him, and I know he had to know that."

Eli Goodrich remains in jail, held without bail.