Inset: Sebastian Van Stockum (New Canaan Police). Background: Home in New Canaan, Connecticut, where Van Stockum allegedly killed his mother (WFSB).
A 20-year-old Connecticut man allegedly murdered his mother with a knife, hammer and his own fists, then called 911, where he admitted to his actions and said he didn't know why he did it.
Sebastian Van Stockum faces murder charges in the death of his 55-year-old mother at their home in New Canaan on Friday. Cops have not publicly released her name. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by CBS affiliate WFSB, cops responded shortly after 10:30 p.m. to a home on Gerdes Road for a report of a man in the woods yelling "mama."
Around the same time, Van Stockum called 911 and reported killing his mother, per Fox affiliate WITC.
"I want to turn myself in," he reportedly said, sobbing. "I just killed my mom, and I don't know why I did it."
Cops found the victim a few feet from her driveway in a pool of blood. There was reportedly a bloodied hammer near her head.
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Van Stockum came out of the home wearing a T-shirt and pajama pants that were reportedly covered in blood. Cops took him into custody.
"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.
