Former Darien Woman's Death Ruled a Homicide -- Charges Against Suspect Son May Be Upgraded

By BARBARA HEINS (Patch Staff)

The death of the 76-year-old Stamford woman who Stamford Police say was beaten by the hands of one of her sons, has been ruled a homicide.

And with that ruling by the office of the Chief State’s Medical Examiner, police will seek to upgrade the charges brought against Timothy F. Anderson, 42., who’s accused in the March 23 beating his mother, Mary Ann Anderson in the Sleepy Hollow Road home they shared.

Stamford Police Capt. Richard Conklin said Wednesday that the autopsy “showed her death was attributable to the beating she took … we anticipate the charges being upgraded to homicide - murder.”

When police arrived at the family’s home, Mary Ann Anderson, who suffered multiple injuries to her head and face and was bleeding from her face and nose, was able to tell officers that her 42-year-old son assaulted her. He fled from the house and through the woods located at the end of the street and was caught a short time later on Haig Avenue, police have said.

Police have said, the attack came after Mrs. Anderson and another son, John Anderson, 50, confronted Timothy Anderson “about not taking his medications.” John Anderson was outside the home when the attack began but was unable to stop it, police have said.

She died three days later even after doctors at Stamford Hospital removed part of her skull to relieve brain swelling and placed her on a ventilator.

Conklin said the timetable on when the charges are upgraded will be left to prosecutors. However, “He’s (Timothy Anderson) is in custody on a very high bond. He’s not going anywhere … and the bond could be increased.” Conklin added, “We’ll evaluate everything but we anticipate the changes being upgraded along with the bond.”

He’s currently being held in lieu of $500,000 bond on charges of first-degree assault of an elderly person, first-degree unlawful restraint, third-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He is scheduled to return to state Superior Court in Stamford on April 23, according to the Connecticut Judicial Branch website.

Mrs. Anderson’s funeral was held on Tuesday.

Photo credit: Timothy Anderson via Stamford Police.

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