Dempsey Fritchey, 30, faces first-degree murder charges after telling Hyatt hotel staff in Lewes, Delaware, that he killed his grandmother. The 72-year-old victim died from her injuries weeks later. Delaware State Police announced the indictment on Friday.
On January 29 at about 5:45 p.m., troopers responded to the Hyatt House on Five Points Square in Lewes, Delaware, after a guest informed hotel staff that he had killed his grandmother in one of the rooms. The suspect, Dempsey Fritchey, spoke with officers near the hotel lobby and allegedly reiterated that he may have killed her. Authorities say Fritchey, who hails from Lewes, suddenly assaulted 72-year-old Elizabeth Fritchey with his hands and feet for unknown reasons while they stayed together in the room. He then went to the lobby to report the incident to staff, who were working one evening. Officers found Elizabeth unconscious with injuries to her face and head. EMS provided medical attention before transporting her to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. She died on February 10 from those injuries. Fritchey was arrested and initially charged with felony assault. A Sussex County grand jury later indicted him for first-degree murder, as announced by Delaware State Police on Friday. He remains in the custody of the Delaware Department of Correction. It is unclear when he is due to appear in court.