Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of EDWARD ASENCIO, 51, for beating his 84-year-old mother to death in their Upper West Side apartment in July 2023. ASENCIO is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree and one count of Assault in the Second Degree. [1]
“As alleged, Edward Asencio neglected and isolated his 84-year-old mother before killing her in their shared apartment. The defendant’s alleged attack on his own mother, who relied on him for care, is abhorrent,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Older New Yorkers deserve quality care, and those who abuse the people in their care will be held accountable. If you or someone you know is 60 years or older and a victim of abuse, I encourage you to contact our Elder Abuse Unit at 212-335-9007 or EAU@dany.nyc.gov.” According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, ASENCIO was the sole caregiver of his 84-year-old mother, Ana Asencio, in their shared apartment on the Upper West Side. ASENCIO had been neglecting his mother’s extensive medical needs, refusing to bring her to medical appointments for several months leading up to her death. On July 17, 2023, ASENCIO assaulted his mother, beating her head, chest, and neck. Later that night, at approximately 10:06 p.m., ASENCIO and his friend entered the apartment and his friend called 911 to report that Ms. Ascencio was on the floor of a squalid bedroom in the apartment, unresponsive. Ms. Ascencio was pronounced dead at the scene. It was later determined that Ms. Ascencio’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to her head. Accessed pursuant to a court-authorized search warrant, ASENCIO’s internet search history reflected searches for information about elder abuse, autopsies and why the status would be “pending,” and how the police conduct investigations before an arrest. Assistant D.A.s Bethany Spiro (Deputy Bureau Chief of the Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau) and Sarah Lubin are handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Special Assistant D.A. David Drucker (Trial Division Central), Assistant D.A. Nicole Blumberg (Bureau Chief of the Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau), Assistant D.A. Jeanine Launay (Chief of the Elder Abuse Unit), and Executive Assistant D.A. Justin McNabney (Chief of the Special Victims Division). Investigative Analyst Eva Nikitovic and Former Assistant D.A. Elizabeth D’Antonio provided valuable assistance in this case. D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Paul Scott of the 24th Precinct Detective Squad.
Defendant Information: EDWARD ASENCIO New York, NY Charged:
### [1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court. |
D.A. Bragg: Man Indicted For Fatally Beating His 84-Year-Old Mother
October 21, 2024