Son Indicted For The 2023 Killing Of His 84-Year-Old Mother: DA

NEW YORK CITY — The son of an 84-year-old woman has been indicted in connection to her death after she was found dead inside an Upper West Side apartment last year, prosecutors announced Monday.

Edward Ascencio, 51, has been charged with manslaughter and assault, Patch previously reported.

Ana Asencio, 84, was found dead inside 70 West 93rd St. on July 17, 2023, police said.

The 51-year-old son was the sole caregiver of his mother in their shared apartment on the Upper West Side. He had been neglecting his mother’s extensive medical needs, refusing to bring her to medical appointments for several months leading up to her death, prosecutors allege.

The son had assaulted his mother, beating her head, chest, and neck, prosecutors said.

The 81-year-old mother was found unresponsive in her bedroom. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

"As alleged, Edward Asencio neglected and isolated his 84-year-old mother before killing her in their shared apartment. The defendant’s alleged attack on his own mother, who relied on him for care, is abhorrent,” said District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “Older New Yorkers deserve quality care, and those who abuse the people in their care will be held accountable.

The city's medical examiner ruled the incident a homicide in January 2024, police said. It was later determined that the woman's cause of death was blunt force trauma to her head.

"If you or someone you know is 60 years or older and a victim of abuse, I encourage you to contact our Elder Abuse Unit at 212-335-9007 or EAU@dany.nyc.gov," Bragg added.