Son Beheads Mother in Long Island, New York, Before Committing Suicide, No Terrorism Suspected

Patricia Ward
Patricia Ward. Photo: Fox News

A woman was found beheaded outside her Long Island, New York home on Tuesday night, just minutes before a man walked in front of a commuter train and died. The two incidents were originally thought to be unrelated until officials discovered that the man was the woman's son.

In what is now being investigated as a murder-suicide, the incident was first thought to be a Halloween prank by the first on the scene. A few of the woman's neighbors attempted to lift the body to move what they thought was a dummy out of the street, but were shocked to find out that it was real. 

"The body's feet were at the curb, the shoulders were at the middle of the street. The head was across the street," Witness Jack Imperial told the New York Daily News. "I've seen some gruesome stuff in my years of living ... but nothing like this. I didn't expect to see something like this, especially not out here."

Witnesses say they saw a man drag Ward's body out of her apartment building and onto the street before kicking her head 20 feet down the road. He then walked to a nearby railroad track where he jumped in front of an eastbound Long Island Railroad train.

Related: Psychologist Discusses Why Young Men Commit Violence, School Shootings, Calls for Families to Fight 'Disturbing Trend' 

The female murder victim was identified as 66-year-old Patricia Ward, a 28-year veteran professor at Farmington State College who taught Language Arts. Her son was identified at 35-year-old Derek Ward who is reported to have a history of mental illness, previous drug-related convictions, and arrests for gun possession and criminal mischief in the last 10 years.

"There's a lot of tears, it's a sad place today," Patrick Calabria, vice president of institutional advancement at the college where Ward worked told FoxNews.com. "She was well-known, well-liked and well-respected." Calabria says that the school is currently figuring out how to tell the professor's students and they have established grief counsel.

"Right now, the family is grieving, they have to make funeral arrangements," Calabria said. "After things settle down, we'll be in touch with her relatives to see what they'd like to do."

Despite recent beheadings in Oklahoma and the UK, and terror attacks in Canada and the US, police don't suspect this incident to be terrorist-related. The motive is still under investigation.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.