Connecticut Man Admits to Killing His Mother With Hammer and Knife, Tells Police ‘I Don’t Know Why I Did It’
NEW CANAAN, CONNECTICUT — A 20-year-old Connecticut man is accused of brutally killing his mother with a hammer, knife, and his own fists before calling 911 in tears and telling dispatchers he didn’t know why he did it, police said.
Sebastian Van Stockum faces murder charges after police say he attacked his 55-year-old mother inside their New Canaan home late Friday night, inflicting what authorities described as “extreme trauma to the skull.”
Son Calls 911 and Confesses
According to an arrest affidavit obtained by CBS affiliate WFSB, officers were dispatched to Gerdes Road around 10:30 p.m. after reports of a man screaming “mama” in the woods. Around the same time, Van Stockum himself called 911.
“I want to turn myself in,” he reportedly sobbed. “I just killed my mom, and I don’t know why I did it.”
When officers arrived, they found the victim lying near the driveway in a pool of blood, a hammer covered in blood beside her head. Van Stockum emerged from the home wearing blood-stained pajama pants and a T-shirt.
“I did it,” he told officers as he was taken into custody. “I took my mom’s life.”
Brutal Scene at Family Home
A paramedic at the scene said Van Stockum muttered that he “deserved to suffer.” He also told officers he had been struggling with mental health issues.
The suspect later admitted to using a knife, hammer, and his fists in the attack. His mugshot showed deep scratches across his face, suggesting his mother fought desperately for her life before succumbing to her injuries.
“This was an especially violent murder,” said State’s Attorney Paul Ferencek during Van Stockum’s arraignment.
“The victim was found bludgeoned to death with extreme trauma to the skull.”
Community and Legal Response
The shocking crime has shaken the quiet, affluent town of New Canaan, known for its low crime rate and family-oriented neighborhoods.
Van Stockum’s attorney, Philip Russell, called the case a “terrible shock,” saying the family had no prior warning signs of violence.
“Nobody anticipated this or foresaw this,” Russell told reporters. “At this point, there’s an awful lot of loose ends. It would be premature for anyone to rush to judgment.”
Next Steps in the Case
Van Stockum remains in custody at the Norwalk Judicial District Jail on a $2 million bond. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Monday, where prosecutors are expected to discuss evidence and psychiatric evaluations.
Police have not yet released a motive or confirmed whether Van Stockum had any history of mental illness prior to the killing.
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