A 31-year-old Connecticut man has been charged with murder after allegedly mutilating and killing his 83-year-old father in their home. The victim's internal organs were found outside his body, and the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, calling it a "really, really bad" murder.
A gruesome father-son murder has shocked one of America's oldest and safest towns. Steven James Uricchio, 31, was arrested and charged with murder on Saturday after police responded to a domestic violence incident at the Ridgefield, Connecticut home where he lived with his 83-year-old father, Marc Joel Uricchio.
Officers arrived at the Powerderhorn Drive residence at around 1 a.m. and found Steven Uricchio outside the home with his hands in the air. When asked what he had done to his father, the suspect replied, "I murdered him," and then added, "really, really badly."
Gruesome Father-Son Murder Shocks Connecticut's Safest Town
Upon entering the home, officers discovered Marc Uricchio's body in the upstairs bedroom. The victim had been mutilated, with his face, abdomen, and groin brutally disfigured. His internal organs were found outside his body. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
The police report obtained by the local news outlet The Hour provides chilling details of the crime. Drops of blood were found on the steps and walls leading to the bedroom, and a bloodied filet-style knife was discovered at the top of the stairs.
Gruesome Father-Son Murder Shocks Connecticut's Safest Town
During his arraignment hearing on Monday, State's Attorney David Applegate described the crime as "gruesome" but did not disclose further details. Defense attorney Willie Dow raised concerns about his client's mental health, stating that Steven Uricchio had a "significant mental health history" and requested that a suicide watch be continued.
Steven Uricchio refused to stand when instructed by the judge, and court marshals were forced to intervene. The judge ordered a competency review to determine whether the suspect is fit to stand trial.
Gruesome Father-Son Murder Shocks Connecticut's Safest Town
The Ridgefield Police Department's Detective Division and Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad are investigating the case. Police Captain Jeffrey Raines told the News-Times that the crime has shaken the community, which was listed as the No. 1 safest city in America last year.
The last homicide reported in Ridgefield was in 2003, making this the first in nearly two decades. "This is a very safe community," said Raines.
Gruesome Father-Son Murder Shocks Connecticut's Safest Town
Following his arrest, Steven Uricchio told police he had stomach problems and had taken a quarter of a bottle of Advil earlier. He was transported to Danbury Hospital for evaluation and reportedly told doctors that he had not taken his prescribed medication for several months and occasionally used cannabis.
Steven Uricchio is being held on $1.5 million bond and is scheduled to reappear in court on September 4.
