Ex-NYPD Officer Kills 78-Year-Old Mother Using A Machete, Nearly Decapitates Her

A former NYPD officer has been indicted over the death of his 78-year-old mother whom he allegedly killed and nearly decapitated using a machete.

Osvaldo Diaz, 46, a former officer of the New York City Police Department, has been indicted after he "allegedly stabbed and slashed" his mother, Maria Diaz, 78, to death with a machete on Feb. 24, 2021, People reported.

Diaz and his mother lived together in an apartment above a beauty salon in Queens. On Feb. 24, 2021, the day of the murder, Diaz's sister went to their home to visit her mother with whom she had planned to run some errands and go for a walk. However, when she arrived at the residence and called her mother on the phone, no one answered. After multiple tries, Diaz answered his mother's phone and told his sister to go to the store alone.

After she returned from the store, she was again met with unanswered calls. This prompted her to summon the landlord for access to the apartment. When the landlord finally let her into the flat, she discovered her mother’s body “bleeding and wrapped in bedding.” Her mother was pronounced dead at the scene. The officers have not released the accused's motive behind committing the alleged murder, NBC News reported.

When the authorities checked the building's CCTV surveillance footage, it was revealed that Diaz left the apartment after his sister went to the store.

Diaz was on the run for over a week before he was finally captured by police officers in New Jersey and extradited to Queens to face charges. Diaz has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

Diaz reportedly entered a plea of not guilty, and his attorney, Jose Nieves, has requested a psychiatric evaluation for his client.

"I requested the court order a psychiatric evaluation immediately because I have serious concerns about Mr. Diaz’s competency to participate in this criminal proceeding," Nieves said.

Diaz was ordered to be held in jail without bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 17. If he is convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison.

"This outburst of violence has devastated the victim's family, which includes her other six children," the borough's District Attorney Melinda Katz said in her statement.