Woman found dead in Bronx home; grandson in custody

BRONX, N.Y. (WABC) -- An 87-year-old woman was discovered dead in a Bronx house Thursday, and her 48-year-old grandson is in police custody, accused of fatally beating her.

According to police, the woman, identified as Alice Durso, suffered trauma to the head. She was found inside a Hollywood Avenue home in the Throgs Neck section just after 8:30 a.m.

Erik Perez, of Brooklyn has been charged with second-degree murder, assault charges, menacing and weapons charges.

On Thursday, around 7:20 a.m. police responded to a 911 call of an emotionally disturbed man at the home. When they arrived, they found the grandson acting erratically outside the residence. The man barricaded himself in a room when police arrived, but was later placed in custody following a brief standoff.

Neighbors reported the grandson throwing household items from the house, shattering a rear window of one car parked below. He tossed a bloodied leg of a piece of furniture.

The woman was found in another room, unconscious.

Officers had to use shields to keep from getting hit by the household items, which left the street littered with debris and smashed some cars parked on the street.

A 56-year old home aide was also attacked during the rampage, along with the suspect's 67-year old mother and 55-year old stepfather. They all escaped and were taken to Jacobi Hospital.

The mother had an injury to her left arm, the stepfather had head trauma and the health aide had a cut on her face.

The suspect has not been identified and was taken to Jacobi Hospital for treatment and evaluation.

The medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of Durso's death.

Long-time neighbors say they've never even seen the grandson visiting the home, and are at a loss for an explanation.