California Man Allegedly Killed His Parents & Housekeeper, Then Went To ER

Camden Nicholson, 27, has been charged with triple murder in the affluent family's Newport Beach home.

February 20, 2019
Camden Nicholson [Orange County District Attorney’s Office]

Camden Nicholson [Orange County District Attorney’s Office]

Camden Nicholson [Orange County District Attorney’s Office]

By: Mike McPadden

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — A 27-year-old man has been charged with three counts of murder after police discovered the bodies of his mother, his father, and their housekeeper in the family’s Newport Beach home.

Camden Nicholson, 27, reportedly went to the emergency room at Irvine Medical Center on February 13, where his condition prompted staffers to contact police. Responders then got in touch with the authorities in nearby Newport Beach, who performed a welfare check on Nicholson’s residence.

Once inside, officers reportedly found the remains of Camden’s parents — Richard Nicholson, 64, and Kim Nicholson, 61 — along with the body of Maria Morse, 57, who had worked as the couple’s housekeeper for more than 10 years.

Authorities have not shared exactly what Camden said or did to arouse suspicion, nor have they yet revealed the causes of the deaths, due to the ongoing investigation. In addition, no motive has been suggested.

The police did say they believe, however, that he murdered his parents on February 11, and then killed Morse the following day.

Wayne Morse, the husband of Maria, told the press that Kim Nicholson had recently given his wife a letter to be taken to an attorney, in which she stated she was afraid of her son.

The Nicholsons lived in the upscale, gated Newport Beach community of Bonita Canyon. The couple was well known for their philanthropic work. Richard had served for the past 15 years on on the board of the environmental organization, Orange County Coastkeeper.

Camden Nicholson is being held without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 8.

Next Up

Man Filmed Crying After Locating Son’s Body 34 Years Ago Now Accused Of Murder

Justin Turner, 5, was found dead in 1989, two days after his father, Victor Lee Turner, and stepmother, Megan Turner, reported the boy missing.

Accident Or Murder? Man Fleeing House Fire Dies After His Wife Strikes Him With Vehicle

“I don’t know why he didn’t survive,” Linda Stermer says of her husband Todd’s grisly 2007 death in Michigan.

6-Year-Old Found Dead Near Church Cemetery Finally Identified 23 Years Later

In 1999, a boy was found deceased in DeKalb County, Georgia. For over two decades, the child remained nameless until July 2022, when police announced the child’s identity as William DaShawn Hamilton.

Digital Technology Helps Solve Murder Of California Nurse Found Brutally Stabbed

“I felt that there was something broken in that person,” one official said of discovering who had committed the crime.

A Slain Man’s Family Stood Behind His Widow Until The Shocking End

Keith Gentry’s mother told authorities they were looking at the wrong suspect if they believed her daughter-in-law, Darlene, had anything to do with her son’s death.

Florida Mom Shot And Killed After Knocking On Neighbor’s Door

Ajike ‘AJ’ Owens was shot after knocking on the door of a neighbor who complained about the victim’s children playing in the neighborhood and reportedly used racist slurs against the family.

Cold Case Victim Identified As Southern California Mother 27 Years After Her Murder

A female body was found near a highway in the Moreno Valley area of California in 1996. After 27 years, she has been identified as 41-year-old Juana Rosas-Zagal.

Dog DNA Helped Solve Case Of Illinois Woman Whose Body Was Found Dismembered In Lake

23-year-old Karyn Hearn Slover, the mother of a 3-year-old son, was about to move out of state to pursue modeling when she was murdered.

What Happened To Grant Solomon? Loved Ones Believe Teen Baseball Star’s Tragic Death May Have Been Murder

Aaron Solomon insists a ‘freak accident’ resulted in his son getting run over by his own car, but his daughter and others disagree.

Husband Of Missing Mother Who Searched 'How To Get Away With Murder’ Pleads Guilty To Her Murder

55-year-old Elizabeth Capaldi was reported missing on Oct. 12, 2022. In April 2023, her husband pleaded guilty to strangling and dismembering her, and hiding her remains.