BRADENTON, Fla. — A 36-year-old man in Florida has been arrested for the alleged gruesome killing of his mother and her boyfriend inside their recreational vehicle (RV) last week. Thomas J. Matejcek was taken into custody on Friday and faces two charges of second-degree murder in the deaths of Patricia Matejcek, 62, and Sean Harrison Sr., 55.
The incident unfolded on Friday, Oct. 10, when deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting a woman in distress at the Arbor Terrace RV Park. A neighbor reported hearing a woman screaming for help in a nearby lot. Upon arrival, first responders discovered the bodies of Sean Harrison and Patricia Matejcek lying on the floor of their RV. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. As deputies approached the scene, they saw a male fleeing on foot.
After a brief search, law enforcement located the fleeing man, later identified as Thomas Matejcek, in a shopping center parking lot along 14th Street West. He was apprehended within minutes of the deputies’ arrival. Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells commended the deputies for their swift actions in a statement.
Little information has been released regarding the circumstances surrounding the murder or a possible motive. However, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office described the scene inside the RV as particularly disturbing and gruesome.
Patricia Matejcek’s sister, Krista Kale, created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the victims’ funeral services. In the page, Kale alleges that Thomas Matejcek had been terrorizing his mother for years and that she had reported him to law enforcement on multiple occasions. The post condemns the lack of meaningful action taken to protect Patricia Matejcek from her son.
Earlier this year, Thomas Matejcek was charged with several crimes, including first-degree burglary and tampering with a witness, after an incident where he allegedly assaulted Harrison and his mother. According to court documents, Thomas Matejcek forced his way into their trailer, assaulted Harrison, and injured his mother during the altercation.
Thomas Matejcek is currently being held without bond.