EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Following a week-long bench trial, a Madison County associate judge convicted a St. Louis man in the stabbing deaths of the man’s adoptive father and his father’s spouse.

Firefighters responded to a house fire on Wedgewood Drive in Godfrey just after 6 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, and found the bodies of Robert Andrews, 59, and his husband, Leonard “James” Ebrey, 67.

The state fire marshal investigated, and the Major Case Squad was requested when it was determined the fire was not an accident.

Investigators determined both men had been stabbed a combined 115 times. Andrews’ car had also been stolen.

Within days of the ghastly killings, police arrested Andrews’ adopted son, Bryce V. Andrews, 26.

The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Bryce with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated arson, one count of offenses relating to motor vehicles, and two counts of concealment of a homicidal death.

During trial, prosecutors said Bryce was born to a drug-addicted mother, suffered seizures as an infant, and was not expected to live. Robert Andrews helped nurse the boy to good health and adopted him.

“This defendant was shown so much love and kindness,” State’s Attorney Thomas Haine said. “He repaid that love and kindness by murdering these victims in brutal fashion.”

Prosecutors said Bryce broke the tip of the knife off in his adopted father’s skull. After the killings, Bryce attempted to bury the bodies, but the ground was frozen. Bryce then doused the bodies in gasoline and started fires at the house to conceal the crime. He drove to St. Louis in his father’s car, then removed its license plate to try and conceal the vehicle. He also destroyed his cell phone and later lied to detectives when questioned about the incident.

Bryce was convicted of all eight counts against him. He’ll be sentenced on April 8 and faces a mandatory life sentence.