A 31-year-old man from Ridgefield, Connecticut, named Steven James Uricchio, has been arrested and charged with murder after the horrific killing of his 83-year-old father, Marc Joel Uricchio. The incident has shocked the community in Ridgefield, which is known as one of the oldest and safest towns in America.
When the police responded to a domestic violence incident, they found the victim with his face, abdomen, and groin mutilated, with some of his internal organs outside his body. The crime was described as “gruesome” by Danbury State’s Attorney David Applegate during the arraignment hearing, but further details were not disclosed.
Steven Uricchio did not enter a plea at his court appearance, and his defense attorney raised concerns about his mental health, requesting a suicide watch due to his significant mental health history. Uricchio was reportedly uncooperative during the hearing and had to be forced to stand by court marshals.
The police report detailed the horrific events that unfolded, with Uricchio confessing to the murder when the officers arrived at the scene. The suspect indicated where his father was, and upon investigation, the police found drops of blood throughout the house and a bloodied knife at the top of the stairs.
Despite Ridgefield being known as a safe community with a low crime rate, this incident has deeply shaken the town. This was the first reported homicide in Ridgefield since 2003, according to police Captain Jeffrey Raines. The community was listed as the No. 1 safest city in America last year, with a crime rate of 1.9 per 1,000 residents.
After his arrest, Uricchio mentioned to the police that he had stomach problems due to taking a quarter of a bottle of Advil earlier. He also disclosed that he had not taken his prescribed medication in a while and occasionally used cannabis. Following a medical evaluation at Danbury Hospital, Uricchio was discharged and returned to police custody.
The investigation into this isolated incident is being led by the Ridgefield Police Department’s Detective Division and Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad. The authorities have reassured the public that there is no danger to the community.
This shocking crime serves as a reminder that tragedy can strike anywhere, even in the safest of communities. The details of this case are truly disturbing, and the impact on the town of Ridgefield will be long-lasting. It is essential for individuals to be aware of mental health issues and seek help when needed to prevent such tragic events from occurring in the future.