Mom Beheaded by Son Was Beloved Professor

Photo Credit: Wayne CarringtonThe woman who was beheaded Tuesday night at her Long Island apartment complex was a beloved professor at Farmingdale State College who was killed by her psychologically disturbed son, police sources said on Wednesday.

Patricia Ward, 66 — a 28-year veteran faculty member who taught language arts at the college — was decapitated by Derek Ward, 35, who lived with her, police sources said.

Derek Ward , who has a criminal record including gun charges, allegedly hacked her head off with a knife and kicked it across the street before throwing himself in front of a LIRR train, said Detective Lieutenant John Azzata of Nassau homicide.

“Mr. Ward has a psychiatric history dating back approximately 10 years. It exacerbated itself within the last year … It just seemed to be he was acting out,” Azzata said.

A knife believed to be the murder weapon was recovered at the scene, Azzata said.