Tacoma teen charged as adult in murder of father

Pierce County prosecutors have charged a 16-year-old Tacoma boy with second-degree murder for allegedly killing his father with a cane and putting the body in a wooden box.

Rylan Salzman was charged as an adult for the death of his father Richard and made his first court appearance Friday afternoon.

Police say Salzman called 911 Tuesday and reported he had killed his father and buried him in the yard.

According to court documents, Salzman’s mother left the family’s home last Friday evening to attend a graduation.

Salzman was home drinking with his father when he overheard his parents arguing on the phone. He became angry that his father yelled at his mother and confronted the man, who pushed him to the ground. The teen then grabbed a cane and hit his father in the head several times, documents say.

The teen allegedly dragged his father’s body to a wooden composting box outside the home and covered it up with with a cut-up bicycle, oil, kitty litter and dirt.

Richard Salzman’s wife reported the man missing Saturday. Her son claimed the man had ridden away on a bicycle early Saturday morning.

The wife reported her husband missing Saturday and the teen ultimately confessed to his mother Tuesday before calling 911 at her urging. Police discovered the victim’s body after a short search.

The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office reported the victim was beaten so badly, dental records were needed to identify him.