In a rampage loud enough to be heard by alarmed neighbors, an actor killed his mother with a three-foot sword early Tuesday in their apartment in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, the police said.
Shortly after 1 a.m., the actor, Michael Brea, 31, asked his mother, Yannick Brea, 55, "if she believed in God,” said Greg Clare, who heard the commotion from his apartment directly below.
"I heard him ask if she believed in Jesus Christ,” Mr. Clare, 25, said. Mr. Brea then chanted for his mother "to repent,” Mr. Clare said.
"Help me,” was Ms. Brea’s only response, he said.
When officers responded to the second-floor unit on Park Place near Classon Avenue that Ms. Brea shared with her son and his twin brother, Marcel, who was not home during the attack, Ms. Brea was dead. She was kneeling in the bathroom with numerous lacerations to her head, the police said.
Mr. Brea, who had barricaded himself in a bedroom, was holding the sword used in the killing, the police said. He was arrested and taken to Kings County Hospital for a psychological evaluation. He was charged later Tuesday with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
"We’re not certain about a psychiatric record, but he’s being evaluated now by psychiatrists,” Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said. He said that one of the people involved was holding a Bible, but he could not say who.
Mr. Brea has not had an extensive acting career, but once appeared in a small role on the television series "Ugly Betty.”
On Tuesday afternoon, police tape blocked the entrance to the Breas’ four-story brick building, while a police forensics unit worked inside in a scene that a brother of the victim, Serge Marcel, described simply as "bad.”
Mr. Marcel, 53, and his sister Gina Dumond, 39, who were outside the home with other family members, including Mr. Brea’s brother, described the family as normal and said there were no warning signs."He was a very nice kid, a gentle kid,” Mr. Marcel said. "I can’t believe this, man. This is my Thanksgiving.”
Ms. Dumond, who cried silently as she looked on, said she would have only two words for her nephew if she could speak with him.
"Why?” she asked, slowly shaking her head. "Why?”
When I saw his picture, he was so familiar. He acted in various programmes like "the Ugly Betty", "Step up 3D" and etc. I don't no some what reason he killed his mom, but it is still so shocking because the way he killed his mom is so brutal. If he had mental disease, I hope he will be treated well. Or if not, he must get certain punishment.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/24/nyregion/24actor.html?scp=1&sq=Michael%20L.%20Brea&st=cse |
