Man on death row claims Mexican loan shark is to blame for his mother and stepfathers' deaths

A SCOT accused of shooting dead his mother and stepfather has blamed the killings on a Mexican loan shark.

Derek Connell, 29, was arrested after the bodies of Paisley-born Kim Higgin-botham and husband Christopher were found in a pool of blood at their home in Bakersfield, California, on April 30.

Connell will face the death penalty if convicted.

According to newly released police transcripts, he initially blamed a Mexican money lender called “Nacho” for the killings.

He said his stepdad had run up massive debts to Nacho – and that the mysterious loan shark was responsible for shooting him.

Detective David Brooks, who grilled Connell, said: “I told him he was a coward and that he should admit what happened to provide closure to the family.”

Californian police were tipped off by concerned family members in Scotland who had received a mobile phone message from Connell which read “mom is dead”.

When officers arrived at the house they found Connell – originally from Shawlands, Glasgow – trying to drive away in a 4×4 smelling of alcohol.

They also noticed he had blood on his trousers and marks consistent with bleach stains.

He told them, “My parents are shot in the house”, and was immediately handcuffed and taken into custody.

Then over a series of interviews lasting more than five hours, unemployed oil worker Connell gave officers his side of the story.

Senior detective Kenneth Sporer said throughout the grilling he “did not show any emotion”.

Connell claimed that, after discovering the bodies, he “lay down next to mom” before attempting to clean up the crime scene using “that stuff you put in the dishwasher”.

He said he also planned to take the bodies to a funeral home “to avoid issues with the police”.

Asked what he would say to his mother and stepfather if they were in front of him, he replied: “I love them.”

Connell’s next court appearance will be in July.

Family debt surges by £4,000 in just six months