A 30-year-old man has been arrested for killing his own mother with an edged weapon.

The victim, named as Belgica Rivera, 55, was killed in her home in the city of DeBary in Volusia County in the US state of Florida on Wednesday, 9th February.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office (VCSO) said in a statement on the same day: “David Rivera, 30 (DOB 10/19/1991), was taken into custody late Wednesday outside a Save-a-Lot grocery store in Deltona, where deputies spotted him and recognized him as a person of interest developed in the investigation.

“He was linked to the homicide using an ANDE Rapid DNA system that allowed deputies to quickly process blood found on his clothing.

“The victim, 55-year-old Belgica Rivera, was discovered unresponsive around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in her home at 261 Sunrise Blvd., DeBary.

“Responding deputies and detectives observed signs of a struggle and a large amount of blood on and around Ms. Rivera, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

The police added: “Her injuries appeared to have been caused by an edged weapon.”

VCSO continued: “Through interviews and further investigation, detectives learned the victim had been in an argument with her son about three days ago, and that he had a history of violent and threatening behavior toward her.

“A BOLO (be on the lookout) alert was issued for Rivera, and around 10:30 p.m. a Sheriff’s Office watch commander spotted him outside the Save-a-Lot at 1382 Howland Blvd., Deltona.

“Rivera initially resisted deputies by providing a false name and resisting efforts to identify him using a Rapid ID fingerprint scanner.

“Upon taking Rivera into custody, deputies noticed dried blood on his clothes. Using the ANDE Rapid DNA instrument, detectives were able to process the DNA sample from the blood on Rivera’s clothing and discover it matched the victim’s.”

ANDE technology reduces the time it takes to process DNA evidence to hours instead of days or weeks.

VCSO said: “Rivera made spontaneous statements to detectives that implicated him in his mother’s death. Other evidence from the scene also linked Rivera to the homicide.

“Rivera’s previous arrests include one that stemmed from a 2016 incident involving his mother.

“After an argument, Rivera climbed a tree and killed one of his mother’s dogs by hanging it. He threatened to hang himself as well, but was eventually taken into custody after an approximately 8-hour standoff with deputies.

“Rivera was charged with felony animal cruelty in that incident.”

The police added: “He is being held without bond today at the Volusia County Branch Jail on a charge of first-degree murder.”