Pittsburgh man charged with death of his father in their shared home in Overbrook neighborhood

A Pittsburgh man was arrested and charged in the death of his father Monday in their home in the city’s Overbrook neighborhood.

City police charged 28-year-old Christopher Hudak with manslaughter in connection with the death of 63-year-old James Hudak, who was pronounced dead at the scene with numerous stab wounds to his chest and abdomen.

The Allegheny County Coroner’s Office has not released any information about the death.

Police said they went to the home at 2100 Lucina Avenue after Hudak’s grandmother called 911 just before 3 p.m. Monday to report that Hudak had called her and told her his father had hit him in the head with a vase. The grandmother told authorities Hudak “may have had a nervous breakdown and stabbed his father,” according to a criminal complaint filed by police.

Officers found the victim – identified by police as James Hudak – lying behind the front door, covered with a sheet. During a subsequent search of the house, investigators discovered a large knife next to the body, the complaint states. The floor and walls were covered in blood, and the ground floor of the house was in disarray, with tables overturned and a television smashed, police said.

Christopher Hudak, who was at the scene, told police: “I had to defend myself,” the complaint states.

The younger Hudak, who had injuries to his hand and above his left eye, was taken to UPMC Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment.

According to the police report, Christopher Hudak’s mother said she and the victim had picked up their son from an appointment and returned home before the incident on Monday. According to the complaint, she told police she went shopping at a store and then returned home, where the police investigation was already underway.

The grandmother told police that Hudak and the victim discussed an apparent disagreement about food during an initial phone call with her before the line went dead, the complaint states.