Son allegedly admitted why he killed his mother in a New York park: Police

Finn Hoogensen and Anthony DiLorenzo

14 mins ago

Editor’s note: The story in the video player aired on July 15, 2024.

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (PIX11) – A man accused of murdering his mother in a Manhattan park on Sunday has reportedly admitted to police the reason for his killing, NYPD officials said.

Miguel Duval, 22, is charged with first-degree murder of his mother, 44-year-old Vianel Garcia, police said. Duval allegedly beat his mother to death around 4:15 p.m. in Fort Washington Park near West 165th Street and Riverside Drive in Washington Heights, police said.

On the day of her death, Garcia visited her son at a Washington Heights homeless shelter where he lived. When Garcia saw her son, his hands were bleeding, according to NYPD Chief Joseph Kenny. It is unclear why he was bleeding.

“She’s trying to convince him to go to the emergency room. He says he wants to eat something first,” Kenny said.

The NYPD chief added that Duval was “a little erratic.” Mother and son then got food and went to the park to eat, Kenny said.

“Witnesses saw them eating at the edge of the park when the victim suddenly started screaming,” Kenny said. “They both fell into a ravine on an embankment near the Henry Hudson Parkway. People could still hear the woman screaming. The screaming suddenly became muffled.”

Garcia was severely beaten and suffered fatal head injuries, authorities said.

According to Kenny, Duval emerged from the street covered in blood and scratches. Police arrested Duval after witnesses called 911.

Duval allegedly admitted to police that he killed his mother because of “family issues related to past abuse,” Kenny said. The suspect did not elaborate, Kenny said.

Duval used to live with his mother in Harlem, but that is no longer the case, police said. Police were unsure why they no longer lived together.

Duval is under the care of a psychiatrist at a hospital near the shelter where he is being held, police said.

According to authorities, Duval was previously arrested for trespassing in 2020.

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