EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – On Tuesday, a Madison County associated judge sentenced a 26-year-old man to consecutive life sentences for stabbing his adoptive father and spouse to death.
Bryce V. Andrews was convicted in February following a bench trial on 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.
The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office said firefighters responded to a house fire on Wedgewood Drive in Godfrey, Illinois, 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 Andrews.
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.
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.
Prior to sentencing, the judge gave Bryce Andrews a chance to make a statement before the court – Bryce declined.
In addition to the consecutive life terms, the judge also sentenced Bryce Andrews to 10 years for the aggravated arson and five years for concealment of a homicidal death. Those sentences will be served consecutively, in accordance with Illinois law.