Nassau County police investigate a homicide in Farmingdale, New York, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014.
Police say a professor found decapitated on a suburban New York street was killed by her son, who then committed suicide by walking into the path of an oncoming train.
Nassau County Police Detective Lieutenant John Azzata (uh-ZAH'-tuh) on Wednesday identified the two dead people as 66-year-old Patricia Ward and her 35-year-old son, Derek Ward.
Azzata says Patricia Ward was killed in their Farmingdale, Long Island, apartment and dragged onto the street. Her body was found around 8 p.m. on Tuesday. A knife was recovered in the apartment.
Police say Derek Ward was arrested years ago for gun possession and criminal mischief. He had a psychiatric history going back about 10 years.
Patricia Ward's employer, Farmingdale State College, says she was a popular assistant professor.