Pittsburgh man charged in death of father at their home in city's Overbrook neighborhood

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

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

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled James Hudak’s death a homicide.

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

Officers found the victim — whom police identified as James Hudak — lying behind the front door covered by a sheet. A subsequent search of the home by detectives discovered a large knife lying next to the body, the complaint stated. There was blood on the floor and walls, and the home’s first floor was in disarray, with tables overturned and a TV smashed, according to police.

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

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

Police said Christopher Hudak’s mother told them she and the victim picked up their son from an appointment and returned home before Monday’s incident. According to the complaint, she told police she went on an errand to a store before returning home to find the police investigation underway.

The grandmother told police that, during an initial phone call, Hudak and the victim both spoke to her about an apparent disagreement over food before the phone went dead, the complaint stated.