In a shocking incident that has left a small Connecticut town reeling, a man is accused of killing his father in a gruesome manner, marking the first murder in the community in over two decades. The suspect, 31-year-old Steven James Uricchio, was arrested early Saturday morning at a residence in Ridgefield, according to local law enforcement.
Police responded to a distress call from a man claiming to have harmed his father. Upon arrival, they found Uricchio outside the house, his hands raised and his clothing stained with what appeared to be blood. After ensuring he was unarmed, the officers questioned him about his father, Marc Uricchio.
The younger Uricchio allegedly confessed to the murder, stating he had killed his father “really, really badly.” Upon entering the house, investigators discovered a chilling scene. Blood was found on the stairs and walls, and a bloodied filet knife was located at the top of the staircase.
Marc Uricchio, 83, was found dead in his bedroom, his body horrifically mutilated. Some of his internal organs were found outside his body, according to the police report. The elder Uricchio was pronounced dead at the scene.
Steven James Uricchio was subsequently arrested and charged with murder. The shocking crime is the first murder in Ridgefield since 2003, a fact that has shaken the quiet community, according to Police Captain Jeffrey Raines.
Following his arrest, Uricchio complained of stomach issues, claiming he had consumed a significant amount of Advil. He was transported to Danbury Hospital for evaluation, where he revealed that he had not taken his prescribed medication for a couple of months and regularly used cannabis. After his discharge, he was returned to police custody and placed on suicide watch.
During his arraignment in Danbury Superior Court on Monday, Uricchio appeared nearly catatonic and had to be physically assisted into the courtroom. His defense attorney, Willie Dow, informed the court of his client’s significant mental health history. Dow concurred with the prosecution’s request for a competency evaluation, mental health treatment, and continued suicide watch, all of which were approved by the judge.
Dow described the incident as a “tragedy of Shakespearean dimensions,” expressing the devastation felt by the family and his client. Uricchio is scheduled to return to court on September 4 and is currently being held on $1.5 million bail.