An 18-year-old Laguna Niguel man was charged Tuesday with killing his father on the day after Thanksgiving.
Maximilian Gregory Ludwig is charged with murder with a special circumstances allegation of lying in wait.
Deputies were called to a home in the 29000 block of Highlands Avenue about 4 p.m. Friday to investigate the killing of 59-year-old Christopher Ludwig, according to Carrie Braun, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
Ludwig took his father out on a nearby trail, where he allegedly "pummeled" the victim, smashed a rock on his head and "stomped" on him with "heavy boots," said Senior Deputy District Attorney Troy Pino.
The prosecutor declined to discuss a motive for the attack.
Ludwig lived with his mother and father, Pino said. An older brother had recently moved out to go to college, but would visit on breaks from school, he said.
Ludwig faces a minimum of life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.
