BRADENTON, Fla. — A Manatee County man who’s accused of killing his elderly mother back in 2012, was extradited from Israel and arraigned on a first degree murder charge on Friday in Bradenton.
- Detectives believe motive for murder was inheritance money
- Extradition process took about 1 year
- More Manatee County stories
According to a newly released arrest complaint, Thomas Gross, 64, killed his mother, Ina Gross, 78, by slashing her throat with a kitchen knife inside the garage of her Bradenton home on January 9, 2012. Detectives believe Gross’ motive was to gain access to $4 million of inheritance money.
“I’m delighted that Tom has been apprehended,” said Gross's sister, Ellen Gerth. "I’m looking forward to justice further unfolding.”
Gross lived beyond his means, has a history of financial difficulties and has since become homeless, according to court records. Manatee Sheriff’s deputies also stated that Gross made contradictory statements about what he was doing the day his mom was murdered.
It took about one year to extradite Gross from Israel, who was booked into the Manatee Jail on Thursday. At his first appearance in court the next day, a judge told Gross he will be held without a bond.
“Are you saying to me that there will be a subsequent follow-up bond hearing at some point?” Gross asked a public defender. “Then I defer.”
Deputies said Gross was visiting his mom from Israel in 2012 and was the prime suspect in her murder. Gross immediately returned to Israel after the funeral, before deputies had a chance to charge him.
Deputies also believe Gross tried to poison his mom with Ambien. An autopsy revealed a large amount of the sedative in the woman’s system.
She was not known to take Ambien and did not have a prescription for the sleeping drug, but Gross did have access to it.
Gerth said she has been waiting seven long years to see her brother brought to justice.
“I just want to say that I’m grateful to Manatee County," she said. "I’m hugely grateful to Israel as well, to the U.S. Justice Department, and to all of those who have supported my beautiful mother in this path towards justice.”