A Staten Island teenager, who has a history of mental health issues, is in police custody after his younger sister discovered a gruesome scene at their home on Monday. The girl returned from school to find her brother covered in blood and their mother’s boyfriend decapitated in the bathroom, according to law enforcement sources.
The teenager, whose identity has not been released due to his age, allegedly told his sister, “I did something bad, go to your room,” upon her arrival. The girl then followed a trail of blood to the bathroom where she discovered the body of the 45-year-old sanitation worker in the bathtub, his head severed and a knife still lodged in his skull.
The girl immediately contacted 911. When police arrived at the West Brighton residence, the 19-year-old suspect emerged from the house, his hands raised, and was promptly taken into custody. The identity of the victim has not yet been released.
The family has a history of reported domestic incidents, sources revealed. It remains unclear whether the siblings are biologically related. The suspect was transported to a local hospital and had not been charged as of Tuesday morning.
The teenager has no prior criminal record but has a documented history of mental health issues, including schizophrenia and self-harm dating back to 2022. His identity remains undisclosed due to his age and mental health status.
The victim had been in a relationship with the suspect’s mother for nearly six years. Louis Ortiz, a close friend of the victim, told reporters that the couple had experienced “ups and downs with the kids.”
Despite the shocking incident, neighbors expressed surprise, describing the relationship between the victim and the suspect as seemingly normal. Mariano Castro, a neighbor, recently observed the two mowing the lawn and grilling in their backyard.