Neighbours mistake murder for Halloween prank after US man beheaded his mother and dragged her body into the street

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Neighbours mistake murder for Halloween prank after US man beheaded his mother and dragged her body into the street

A US man decapitated his mother and dragged her headless body into the street – but neighbours thought the horrific scene was a Halloween prank.

Derek Ward, 35, killed 66-year-old Patricia in their apartment in the Long Island town of Farmingdale on Tuesday night, the Daily News reported, citing police.

He then threw her body and severed head out onto the street at around 8pm, before allegedly killing himself by jumping in front of a train.

Nassau County Police Detective Lieutenant John Azzata said in a press conference: “There were multiple signs of trauma, multiple stab wounds, broken ribs.

“The weapon used was believed to be a knife. That knife was recovered.”

Witnesses to the aftermath of the murder said they did not comprehend the horror of what they had seen.

One resident told CBS: “You figure, OK, someone is playing a Halloween prank, but for it to turn out to be a reality - wow.”

Mr Ward reportedly had a history of mental health problems stretching back over the past decade and had been arrested in the past for criminal mischief, as well as weapons and drug possession.

However, there was no record of previous domestic incidents involving Mr Ward and his mother.

Ms Ward was a language arts professor at Farmingdale State College. Patrick Calabria, vice president of institutional advancement and enrolment management at the university said: “We are all in shock.

“I mean, she was here for 28 years – she was well-known, well-liked, and well-respected. You know, a lot of tears were shed on campus today.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/neighbours-mistake-murder-for-halloween-prank-after-us-man-beheaded-his-mother-and-dragged-her-body-into-the-street-9829014.html

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

That's just horrible...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well again - it sounds like there were clear warning signs of severe mental illness. He should not have been out on the streets.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Dang!! I'm staying in tonight. That is just spooky, Michael Myers creepy!!

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

Well again - it sounds like there were clear warning signs of severe mental illness. He should not have been out on the streets.

Nope, and his mother paid for it with her life. It's a damn shame.

Dang!! I'm staying in tonight. That is just spooky, Michael Myers creepy!!

I'm going out tonight with my lightsaber. I wish someone would try and test me

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Nope, and his mother paid for it with her life. It's a damn shame.

I'm going out tonight with my lightsaber. I wish someone would try and test me

May the force be with you.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

I always thought folks in NY were wackos.

But seriously, that's just terrible.

[Curmudgeon 227]

I can sort of see why people might not have immediately realized what they were seeing. Given that it is Halloween, what is the more logical explanation for a headless torso being dragged into the streets? Halloween prank or horrific murder?