Henderson man arrested for killing wife, stepson in self-defense claim

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man accused of killing his wife and stepson called Henderson police dispatch on Friday, Oct. around 6 p.m. and said “You need to come here now; there’s a huge crime scene,” according to the arrest report.

The man was later identified as Karl Richard Groschen, 41, and he was waiting for police at his front door with his young son. The report said when officers arrived Groschen was holding several prescription bottles, two cell phones, and a drink and told police “I thought they were trying to kill me.” Groschen put his hands behind his back and was placed in handcuffs.

When officers entered the home in the 300 block of Black Rock Hills Drive, near Stephanie Street and Warm Springs Road, they found the bodies of Groschen’s wife, Anastasiya Akutsina, 44, and his stepson, Sergei Scroggins, 20.

According to the Clark County Coroner’s office, both died of multiple gunshot wounds. Scoggins, who was found in the laundry room, had five gunshot wounds, including one to the head.

His mother was found in the garage in the driver’s seat of one of the cars and had four gunshot wounds, including one to the head.

During an interview, one neighbor told police she heard Groschen yelling “Get the (expletive) out of here,” and believed he was kicking Sergei out of the house and then she heard a gunshot and a scream and saw Sergie run to the front door of the house and several more shots followed, the report stated.

Another witness told officers, that she’d learned through his wife that Groschen had lost his job, was depressed and the family was having a hard time, according to the documents.

Groschen was booked into Henderson Detention Center and is due to appear in court for his arraignment on Tuesday on charges of open murder with the use of a deadly weapon and child abuse also with a weapon enhancement. The young child was taken to Child Haven.

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