CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – A 16-year-old boy was accused of shooting his wealthy parents to death in the family home, the same weekend he attended his high school prom.
Businessman James Sapikowski (search), 52, and Alison Powell Sapikowski, 49, were found dead early Saturday, authorities said. It appeared they had been dead for up to two weeks.
Their 16-year-old son, Adam, a junior at Durham Academy (search), was charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree murder. He confessed to the killings, Police Chief Gregg Jarvies said.
Precisely when they were killed was still under investigation, but Jarvies said evidence showed it was sometime the weekend of April 29.
Adam was at the prom April 30, according to police. Jarvies said there was an unconfirmed report that he had a small party in the home after the dance.
Adam Sapikowski (search) made his first appearance in Orange County District Court on Monday, where he made no statement.
Investigators found Adam on Saturday at a hotel in Durham, where officials said he checked in May 1. He initially told police his parents were out of town in Texas.
The father owned an oil and gas exploration company and coached club hockey at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Property records value the family home at $680,000.
A search warrant said when officers entered the house, they found chairs barricading a door and a stench coming from a room. The bodies, wrapped in blankets, were found in a bedroom and a bathroom.
Officers also found a single-shot .410-gauge shotgun and several shotgun shells.
A probable cause hearing was set for June 6.
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