Son beats mother to death with hammer, then runs off into woods screaming for ‘Mama’
Sebastian Van Stockum was arrested after he admitted to fatally attacking his mother. NBC
A Connecticut man allegedly bludgeoned his mother to death with a hammer before fleeing into the woods behind their upscale New Canaan home, screaming for his “mama.”
Police arrested 20-year-old Sebastian Van Stockum on Oct. 24 after he confessed to fatally attacking his mother, 55-year-old Laura Williams, with his fists and a hammer inside their nearly $2 million residence, about 10 miles outside Stamford, according to the New Canaan Police Department.
Officers responded around 10:36 p.m. after receiving a 911 call from Van Stockum, who reportedly stated, “I killed my mother.” When police arrived, Van Stockum opened the door with his clothes, face, and hands covered in blood and was immediately taken into custody.
Authorities found Williams outside the home with severe head injuries and a cracked skull, next to a blood-stained hammer. Emergency responders attempted CPR but she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police also reported a large pool of blood in the driveway nearby.
While in custody, Van Stockum allegedly admitted, “I did it,” and said, “I took my mom’s life.” He reportedly told officers he “tried using a knife, tried using a hammer, and used his fists” and that he was struggling with his mental health. He was charged with murder and is being held on a $2 million bond.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed Williams’ cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head, ruling it a homicide.
Van Stockum appeared in Stamford Superior Court Monday, where state attorney Paul Ferencek described the killing as an “especially violent murder,” noting that the victim suffered extreme trauma to the skull. Defense attorney Philip Russell called the case “shocking” and urged caution before drawing conclusions, describing it as a “tragic situation.” Van Stockum’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 3.
His father, local restaurateur Dirk Van Stockum, attended the hearing but made no public statements. According to relatives, Sebastian grew up in New York City and northern New Jersey before moving to New Canaan. He graduated from New Canaan High School in 2023, with classmates describing him as “socially awkward.” He also spent time living with his maternal grandmother in Virginia.
Williams, originally from Charlottesville, Va., was a single mother and high-end antique dealer. She graduated from Georgetown University in 1993 and had worked as a writer, artist, and briefly in film production in Los Angeles before moving to New York City, where she met Sebastian’s father. The couple never married.
If convicted, Van Stockum faces a minimum of 25 years in prison.
About Post Author
