Bradford and Andra Sachs were killed on Feb. 9 at their home on the 32200 block of Peppertree Bend. Their 8-year-old son was also shot and has been left paralyzed, according to prosecutors.
After a month-long investigation, Orange County sheriff's investigators arrested Ashton Colby Sachs Thursday on murder charges. He was taken into custody in the San Diego, where the rest of his family is now living. Detectives say the 19-year-old attends college in the Seattle area and was not living with his parents at the time of the shooting.
The night of the murders, investigators say Sachs' two younger sisters were also in the multi-million dollar home. Prosecutors say Sachs shot at but missed his 17-year-old sister.
Authorities say the entire family was interviewed. Searchers combed the area for evidence. They also looked at neighbors' surveillance video.
"To us it was a true 'whodunit' in the beginning, very little evidence. As you have read in the paper or on the blogs, there's long list of people that may have not, in a better term, liked the family. So you've got a lot to deal with, the financial issues," said investigator Justin Montano with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
The couple, both in their 50s, was involved with several businesses and owned numerous properties. There are a number of reports of angry tenants and other business problems.
As for the murders, investigators say they still don't have a motive, but they believe they have the gun used in the crime.
"I don't want to get into where we found the weapon. All I can say is we believe that weapon is our murder weapon," said Montano.
According to his Facebook page, the teenager also worked as a repair tech at Play N Trade Video Games in San Clemente. Investigators won't say if he stood to gain from an inheritance.
"We're looking into all aspects of it, so I can't sit here and tell you 100 percent it's financial or any other reasons. I can just tell you we're looking into it right now," said Montano.
Ashton Sachs is being held at the Orange County Jail without bail. He is scheduled to be in court on Monday.
