Did son kill parents over $500 in rent money?

DALLAS, Ore. – The murders of a couple that ran "Abundant Life Farm," a 200-acre refuge about 20 miles east of Salem, has shaken those who knew the family as sweet and kind.

Authorities say the death of 61-year-old David Jondle and his 58-year-old wife Marilyn Monday night was pre-meditated – by their 20-year-old son Andrew Jondle and his 46-year-old girlfriend, Cindy Lou Beck of Salem.

However, when it comes to the actual killing, the Polk County Sheriff says Andrew acted alone.

Court documents just filed and KATU's investigation reveal more on what authorities say was the motive. "There was a great deal of anger involved in this crime," Sheriff Robert Wolfe said.

They say there had been tension over the family's disapproval of Andrew's much older girlfriend. However, authorities say it was David and Marilyn's decision not to give their son $500 in rent money that led to their planned murders.

Authorities say Andrew was not under the influence of intoxicants; the sheriff says "rage" fueled the attacks.    

Authorities provide a gruesome picture

We now have a clearer picture of what may have happened the night of Aug. 30.

Authorities say Andrew rode a scooter to his parents farm from Salem. With him the 20 year old carried a backpack full of fuel to complete the round-trip home.

When his dad opened the garage door to greet him, Andrew beat him to death with a pipe before stabbing him with a hay sickle.

When his mom came to see what was going on, Andrew followed her into the house. There, authorities say, he beat her to death with the same pipe he used to end his dad's life.     

"He wasn't violent at all"

"I just couldn't imagine Andrew doing something like this," said Nate Rafn, a Jondle family acquaintance. "In the limited times I saw him he wasn't violent at all – he didn't seem to be angry or troubled in any way. He just seemed to be a normal kid."

Rafn shot videos of this sustainable farm, known as "Abundant Life Farm," for a local foods show. He says Andrew "always" had a smile on his face.

So what could have changed? Sheriff  Wolfe says Andrew's family didn't approve of the young adult's much older girlfriend. That, they say, had created tension.

Meanwhile, the sheriff says Beck was in need of money to try to get her kids out of foster care.

Investigators also believe Andrew's parents felt Cindy Lou Beck was manipulating their son ... getting him to do things he wouldn't normally do. By the age of 20, authorities say Andrew was angry and desperate for money. Authorities think the goal was to take out the parents for their money and jewelry.      

That's what authorities say built up to this bloody Monday in Dallas, Ore.

"Anytime somebody takes the life of anybody it's bad, but when you kill your own parents – that's really bad," Wolfe said.

Andrew's girlfriend, Beck, could face jail time. She is charged by the sheriff's office of one count of hindering the prosecution.

The two were tracked down to a south Salem apartment, where a neighbor says they arrived early Tuesday morning. The Salem neighbor said it was clear to him that when the two come home there was something very wrong.

- KATU Reporter Melica Johnson contributed to this report.


The family's Dallas, Ore., farm:


A map of the Oregon location of the family's farm:


Cindy Lou Beck and Andrew Jondle: