Authorities: 14-year-old grandson charged with capital murder

CHAMBERS COUNTY, TX (KTRK) -- A 14-year-old boy is charged with capital murder following the shooting deaths of his grandparents in Beach City.

The Chambers County Sheriff's Office said the bodies of Chester and Sandra Bienek, both 72 years old, were found in their bed.

Each was apparently shot in the back of the head, while they slept, according to investigators.

The murders likely took place Sunday, investigators said. The couple was not discovered until Tuesday, which means the teen may have been at the home with the bodies for two days before anyone knew of the murders.

"I don't know what's going on I haven't heard anything, " said Brett Bienek, the victims' son.

"We do not have any motive on this case, no sir, we do not," said Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne.

Detectives said the couple was shot with a .45-caliber handgun, which they kept in the house. The gun is now missing.

The teen had been living at the home in the 11000 block of Cedar Gulley Road with his grandparents. Investigators said school officials came to check on him after he didn't show for classes Monday or Tuesday.

The grandson insisted his grandparents were out shopping. When school officials called the home again later, authorities said the boy pretended to be his grandfather.

He told them something that would spark an immediate call to 911: his grandmother had blood on her.

"It's pretty twisted if you ask me, I just can't. I couldn't imagine doing something like that," said neighbor Tyler Cauthen.

Brett Bienek said his nephew is autistic, his parents were recently having a hard time trying to discipline him.

"They were both caring, they were raising Spencer just like he was their kid, they loved him," Brett said.

Both his parents had firearms in the home, he said, but he didn't want to jump into conclusions yet.

Top priority, he said, is to notify family and bring everyone together.

"My wife, she drove to Nacogdoches to tell my daughter face-to-face what happened before she saw it on TV or Facebook," he said.

The teenage suspect is enrolled at Barbers Hill Middle School South. Folks there, even those who didn't know the victims, are taking the news hard.

"That's really sad. I'll be praying for them," said Laurie Pressnall.

The Superintendent for Barbers Hill ISD, Dr. Greg Poole , issued the following statement:

The Beach City community has experienced a heartbreaking event that has touched us all. The grandparents of a Middle School South student were killed in a double homicide at their home. This is an unspeakable tragedy. As is often the case this early into an investigation, there are more questions than answers. However, I have been in constant communication with Sheriff Brian Hawthorne and have complete confidence and trust in him and his staff in ensuring that justice is served. Our hearts go out to the family experiencing loss and we have additional counseling at Middle School South for those in need of such services. I assure you that we will monitor ongoing developments regarding this situation, but the best thing that anyone can do at this time is hug your children and grandchildren and tell them you love them.

"If he did do what they're saying; he killed the two people that loved him the most," said Bienek.

The 14-year-old is now in custody in the Hardin County Juvenile Detention Center in Kountze.

Investigators are not naming the suspect because of his age. It's not known yet if he might be tried as an adult.