A 25-year-old man accused of murdering his wealthy parents allegedly wrote in his journal that he wanted to kill them.

Erik Metzig was charged on Tuesday, 21st March, with the murder of his 72-year-old father, David, and his 71-year-old mother, Jan, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office.

The couple were found dead at their home in the town of Wolf River, in Winnebago County, in the US state of Wisconsin, by one of their other sons, who has not been named, and by the authorities, on Saturday, 18th March, at around 5.15am.

The police said that David and Jan Metzig died of gunshot wounds, adding that they retrieved an AR assault rifle from the kitchen counter. The victims were reportedly covered with blankets.

The couple were reportedly owners of a Union Star Cheese Factory near Fremont.

Detectives found Erik Metzig’s journal, in which he allegedly wrote that he wanted to eliminate his parents, with Assistant District Attorney Adam Levin saying: “The discovery suggests writings showing premeditation to kill his parents. Some discussion about potential inheritance.”

The authorities also said that the “journal was found in Erik Metzig’s bedroom detailing that he wanted to eliminate his parents and make it look like they went missing while out for a walk”.

He added: “And the state believes he is a flight risk.”

Erik Metzig appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon with bond set at USD 1 million.

His lawyer, Ty Gasparek, had argued for a much lower bond, saying: “He would ask that cash bond be set in the amount of USD 50,000.”

He added: “That would obviously still be a very substantial sum of money and, given his lack of prior history, the fact that this is his first time in the criminal system, we believe that that would be sufficient.”

But Court Commissioner Eric Haywood sided with prosecutors.

A hearing is scheduled for 27th March, with a preliminary trial date set for 30th March.