By Associated Press - Wednesday, May 4, 2016

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) - Kern County authorities say a 29-year-old man is accused of killing his mother and step-father, who were found shot to death in their Bakersfield home.

KBAK-TV reports (https://bit.ly/1SYme0v) Derek Connell appeared in court Tuesday for an arraignment hearing on two counts of first-degree murder. The arraignment was continued to May 11.

Investigators say Connell is suspected of shooting Kim and Christopher Higginbotham on Saturday.

Police haven’t commented on a motive. Connell is held without bail. It’s not immediately known if he has a lawyer.

Kim Higginbotham was a kindergarten teacher at Princeton Street Elementary in Delano, which held a moment of silence in her honor before classes began Tuesday.

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Information from: KBAK-TV, https://www.bakersfieldnow.com/

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