NORRISTOWN, Pa. — Preston Lonnberg-Lane, 30, of Lansdale, has been arrested for First-Degree Murder and related charges in the stabbing death of his father, Thomas Lane, 74, on March 27, 2018 at their home.
At 4:44 a.m., on March 27, a 911 call was placed by Lonnberg-Lane saying he “tried to kill everybody in the house.”
Lansdale Police responded to the home to find Thomas Lane semi-conscious in the bedroom with a traumatic eye avulsion and apparent stab wounds to his head, neck and arm. Lane was flown to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and admitted in critical condition.
Officers say they located the victim’s eyeball on the floor.
Lane died on March 29, 2018. A joint homicide investigation by Montgomery County Detectives and Lansdale Police found that Lonnberg-Lane had attacked his father with a butter knife.
On March 30, 2018, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy on the body of Lane. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Lindsay Simon opined that the cause of death was hyperextensive brain hemorrhage and the manner of death was homicide. Additional findings were evidence of strangulation and wounds to the head, neck and face.
“This father was asleep in his bedroom and was savagely attacked by his son,” said — Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele. “Now the man is dead and a son is behind bars.”
The suspect reportedly told investigators he snorted fentanyl before the attack.
Lonnberg-Lane is charged with First-Degree Murder, Third-Degree Murder and Possessing an Instrument of Crime. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Edward Levine.
Bail is not available for First-Degree Murder charges, and the defendant was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m., April 9, 2018.
