Inset: Sebastian Van Stockum (New Canaan Police). Background: Home in New Canaan, Connecticut, where Van Stockum allegedly killed his mother (WFSB).
A young man from Connecticut, aged 20, is accused of fatally attacking his mother using a knife, hammer, and his bare hands. He subsequently dialed 911, confessing to the crime yet expressing confusion about his motive.
Sebastian Van Stockum is facing charges for allegedly murdering his 55-year-old mother at their New Canaan residence last Friday. Authorities have not disclosed her identity. As detailed in a probable cause affidavit accessed by CBS affiliate WFSB, law enforcement was dispatched to a Gerdes Road address around 10:30 p.m. in response to reports of a man shouting “mama” from the nearby woods.
Simultaneously, Van Stockum made a 911 call admitting to the crime, as reported by Fox affiliate WITC.
In a distressed state, he allegedly told the operator, “I want to turn myself in,” while crying. “I just killed my mom, and I don’t know why I did it.”
Upon arriving, officers discovered the victim lying in a pool of blood a short distance from the driveway. A hammer, stained with blood, was reportedly found near her head.
Van Stockum emerged from the house clad in a T-shirt and pajama pants, both reportedly smeared with blood. He was subsequently apprehended by the authorities.
“I did it,” he allegedly said as cops took him to a police cruiser. “I took my mom’s life.”
A paramedic heard him say “I deserve to suffer,” the affidavit reportedly stated. Van Stockum also said he was having mental health problems.
He reportedly went on to tell police that he used a knife, hammer and his fists during the attack. His mug shot showed him with several scratches on his face, suggesting that his mother may have fought for her life. Police have not divulged a motive for the attack.
“This was an especially violent murder. The victim was found bludgeoned to death with extreme trauma to their skull,” Norwalk Judicial District State’s Attorney Paul Ferencek told a judge during the defendant’s arraignment.
The defendant is in jail on a $2 million bond. His defense attorney, Philip Russell, described the incident as a “terrible shock.”
“Nobody anticipated this or foresaw this. At this point, there’s an awful lot of loose ends,” Russell told reporters. “All I can say is it would be premature for anyone to rush to judgment. Obviously, this is a tragic situation.”
Van Stockum is slated to next appear in court on Monday.
