Okanogan County sheriff’s deputies make arrest Monday in alleged Malott matricide

A man accused of killing his mother with a knife was arrested Monday afternoon by Okanogan County sheriff’s deputies.

Jose Mejia, 34, was taken into custody at about 3 p.m. as medical personnel and deputies arrived in the area of Old Highway 91 and Central Street in Malott on a report of a woman being stabbed by a man, Sheriff Tony Hawley said in a news release.

Deputies apparently located Mejia near the crime scene after he made his way toward the Okanogan River.

Juana Ferreria Demejia, 64, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mejia was transported to Mid-Valley Hospital in Omak for treatment to his hands, then booked into Okanogan County Jail, the news release said.

The Washington State Crime lab helped collect evidence.