Farmingdale murder-suicide victim identified as SUNY professor

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (WABC) -- Police on Long Island are investigating a pair of grisly deaths in Nassau County after a woman was found decapitated outside an apartment and a man was fatally struck by a Long Island Rail Road train.

Authorities are investigating the incidents, which happened around 8 p.m. Tuesday in Farmingdale, as a murder-suicide.

SUNY Farmingdale confirmed the woman's identity as 66-year-old Patricia Ward, a professor and former dean.

"Professor Ward was well liked, well known and well respected," SUNY Farmingdale Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Enrollment Management Patrick Calabria said in a statement. "People loved her, and it's tough on the campus today. There were a lot of tears. We provided counseling to faculty and staff, making counseling available to anyone who wants it."

Nassau County police say they believe Ward was killed by her son, 35-year-old Derek Ward, who had history of psychiatric and drug issues.

He was found dead on the LIRR tracks at Secatogue Avenue after throwing himself in front of a train.

Police say it appears that Patricia Ward was stabbed then dragged down the hallway, then out into the street and beheaded.

No domestic issues had been reported, according to authorities. No motive has been determined, but a knife was recovered at the scene.

A specific psychiatric condition was unspecified, but police say it was "exacerbated due to the death of his paternal grandfather in August 2013." He has prior arrest record for gun possession and drug possession.

There is no link to terrorism, police said.

Neighbors who saw the aftermath say it was unimaginable, with the head not too far from the body. They even thought it was a Halloween prank at first, but the truth quickly came to light.

Service on the Ronkonkoma Branch resumed early Wednesday morning.