Man turns himself in after murdering girlfriend’s father

A man who turned himself in to Monongalia County law enforcement for a Grafton murder was living with his victim.

That’s according to Taylor County Sheriff Terry Austin.

Nicholas C. Padron, 28, was charged with first-degree murder for the death of Michael Blackburn, 49.

Padron was in a relationship with Blackburn’s daughter and Blackburn is the grandfather to Padron’s children, Austin said.

A motive is still being developed and until all the electronic devices involved are downloaded, Austin can’t say why Padron killed Blackburn.

Austin said Blackburn’s body was “mutilated.”

Padron turned himself in to the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department on Saturday morning and confessed to the murder, according to a criminal complaint.

“He just started driving and that’s where he was when he decided to … he knew we would be coming after him,” Austin said.

Padron worked in Monongalia County before, according to Austin.

Cases like this don’t happen often in the Mountain State and every bit of information can be useful, Austin said. He urged people to keep an eye on their neighborhood and community and if something doesn’t look right, report it to law enforcement.

Padron is being held in North Central Regional Jail without bond.

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