The incident happened on Bedford Avenue in Sheepshead Bay.
Authorities say the 46-year-old man walked into the backyard and apparently lit himself on fire at around 5:35 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Firefighters responded to the 911 call of a fire and put out the blaze.
A witness told police that the man poured a flammable liquid on himself before the fire.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Detectives determined they could not immediately locate his 77-year-old mother Patricia Ventre. Police are looking for her now.
**MISSING PERSON**
— NYPD 61st Precinct (@NYPD61Pct) March 9, 2021
Have you seen Patricia Ventre? She’s a 77 year old woman missing from the vicinity of Bedford Avenue and Avenue Y. If seen please call 911 or the 61 Precinct at 718-627-6611. **PLEASE SHARE** pic.twitter.com/exBvRIUjsx
There are no prior incidents of domestic violence or other calls to the home.
Residents were shocked to find out about the incident.
"It's a great neighborhood, nothing has ever happened here," one resident said.
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