Connecticut
Connecticut town sees first murder in two decades when son allegedly kills his dad
A Connecticut man is accused of killing his 83-year-old father, marking the first murder the small town has seen in 21 years.
Ridgefield Police responded to a report of a domestic incident at 1am on August 3 at the home of Marc Uricchio, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, authorities said.
His son, Steven James Uricchio, 31, was taken into custody and charged with murder, police said.
He reportedly admitted to officers that he had killed his dad. “I murdered him,” according to a police report obtained by The Hour. Uricchio reportedly paused before adding: “Really, really badly.”
The scene was gruesome. Blood covered the stairs and walls. Authorities also uncovered a filet-style knife — covered in blood — at the top of the stairs. The octogenarian was found lying on the floor of his bedroom — with some of his organs found outside his body. The state’s chief medical examiner’s office determined that the father died from sharp force and blunt force impact to his head, neck, torso and extremities, according to the The News-Times.
After police detained Uricchio, he informed them that he had ingested a quarter of a bottle of Advil that morning. Officers then took him to hospital, where he was evaluated while handcuffed to a hospital bed.
He was later discharged and brought back to the police station, where he was held on $1.5m bond, police said.
What prompted the grisly killing is not immediately clear but police are investigating the incident.
The 31-year-old appeared in court on Monday but did not enter a plea, court records show. In court, his attorney mentioned that his client had a “significant mental health history,” according to The Hour. The judge ordered a mental competency test to see whether Uricchio was fit to stand trial.
His attorney later told reporters that the matter was “a tragedy of Shakespearean proportions.”
The Independent has emailed the attorney for further comment.
“We want to reassure everyone that this was an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public,” police said. This week’s murder marked the first that the 25,000-person town had seen since 2003, Ridgefield Police Captain Jeffrey Raines told The News-Times.
Such an incident “shakes the town up. This is a very safe community,” Raines added.
The town’s First Selectperson Rudy Marconi called the disturbing death “a shocking occasion here. It’s a situation, an incident that we’re not used to.”
“It’s a shocking occasion here. A very sad day for the family, for the individuals involved. The community will move forward,” Marconi added. “My condolences to the rest of the family for whatever they are going through.”
Last year, the town was at the top of the “Safest Cities in America“ list, according to one survey.
Providing space for people who may not have a place to celebrate this Christmas. That’s what a Thai restaurant in Canton offered to the community.
It feels a lot like Christmas inside Green Papaya restaurant in Canton.
“It’s a wonderful time. We like to trade gifts,” said Net Nunta, the cook at Green Papaya.
For her and her partner Dirk Peirsman, they were trading flavors and hospitality.
“We don’t celebrate at home so we open here so we can see people too,” Nunta said.
Their restaurant was packed for the holiday, not just because they were one of the few places open, but also to offer a sense of community.
“They’re just great. They’ve both been a big part of the community,” said Lynne Kay, of New Hartford
The restaurant put a post on social media offering their space to anyone on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day who may not have a place to celebrate. It’s something they’ve been doing for the last five years.
“I don’t know why the social media blew up on this year. Our sign has been outside always, but the community’s happy,” Peirsman said.
People didn’t even need to eat Thai food as they could bring their own food, but many ate it or at least gave it a try.
“It’s healthy. It tastes good. It seems so clean. Yeah, we love it,” Tommy Skarupa said.
Nunta says this idea started after they came to Connecticut from Belgium to run the restaurant for Nunta’s mother about ten years ago. Both are very far from home and say they wanted to celebrate with the Canton community.
“It’s so lonely you know. Your whole family’s in Thailand and I don’t know anybody so that really hit me,” she said.
This meant welcoming anyone, even those who may be struggling with money around this time. Peirsman says he made sure to take care of at least one person.
“I cannot give you anything off the menu, but we have some catering here. Come in and sit down, eat something for free,” he said.
So far, it’s been a success with customers vowing to make a return trip.
“We love the food. We love the service and love just seeing Dirk and his whole family,” Skarupa said.
UPDATE: A winter storm warning has been issued for Fairfield, New Haven and Litchfield counties. A winter weather advisory is in effect for Hartford and Middlesex counties.
No advisories have been issued for New London, Tolland and Windham counties.
The weather service said in an update Thursday afternoon that 4 to 8 inches of snow is forecast for Fairfield County.
Find out what’s happening in Across Connecticutfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A total of 5 to 7 inches of snow is forecast for New Haven County but lesser amounts in eastern parts of the county.
“Total snow accumulations between 5 and 7 inches,” the weather service said concerning New Haven County. “The eastern portion of the county may see less snow with accumulations 3 to 5 inches.”
Find out what’s happening in Across Connecticutfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A winter weather advisory is in effect for Hartford County. “Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches.”
A winter storm warning is in effect for Litchfield County. “Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 8 inches.”
A winter weather advisory is in effect for Middlesex County. “Total snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches.”
Original story: The weather itself on Christmas will be pleasant with temperatures rising into the 40s under sunny skies but with wind gusts approaching 30 mph at times.
This will all set the stage for an interesting but also complex snowstorm, which is scheduled to begin Friday evening. Folks residing in the western part of the state will see the most snow, possibly up to 7 inches of snow, while residents in the eastern part of the state could see as little as 1 to 3 inches of snow.
Snow could break out Friday afternoon in western parts of the state, while it may not start snowing until Friday night in eastern parts of Connecticut. The snow is forecast to mainly fall during the nighttime and overnight hours and should end by late morning Saturday.
Here is a full breakdown on the forecast for every county in the state via the National Weather Service:
Fairfield County snow details, via the weather service:
A winter storm watch remains in effect from Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. “Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 7 inches possible.” There is a 30 percent chance of snow after 1 p.m. Friday, but the storm really gets going in the evening hours.
New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties snow details, via the weather service:
“A winter storm system will affect the region Friday afternoon through Saturday morning with an accumulating, plowable snow,” the weather service said in a hazardous weather outlook.
There is a 20 percent chance of snow after 1 p.m. in western parts of New Haven County, where 3 to 7 inches of snow may accumulate.
In eastern parts of New Haven County and Middlesex County, 3 to 5 inches of snow is forecast. And in New London County, 2 to 4 inches of snow is forecast. The snow here won’t begin until Friday night.
Hartford County snow details, via the weather service:
Friday Night: Snow. Low around 19. Light northeast wind. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Saturday: Snow likely, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 30. North wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
We are keeping a close eye on a low-pressure system that could bring plowable snow to the region Friday night into Saturday Morning. Uncertainty remains high, as guidance shows significant spread in the systems’ track. The best chances for 3+ inches of snow are in southwest CT. pic.twitter.com/vg1kdaLPS8
— NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) December 25, 2025
Read More:
Tolland County snow details, via the weather service:
Friday Night: Snow likely, mainly after 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 17. Calm wind becoming northeast around 6 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Saturday: Snow likely, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 28. Northeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Windham County snow details, via the weather service:
Friday Night: Snow likely, mainly after 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 18. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.
Saturday: Snow likely, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 30. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Litchfield County snow details, via the weather service:
Friday: A slight chance of snow after 1pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 24. Wind chill values as low as -1. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 16. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Saturday: A chance of snow, mainly before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 27. Northeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday and beyond forecast details for Connecticut, via the National Weather Service
Sunday: A chance of rain after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow before 7pm, then snow likely between 7pm and 1am, then rain after 1am. Low around 27. Calm wind becoming south around 6 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Monday: Rain, mainly before 4pm. High near 45. South wind 6 to 11 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: A chance of rain before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. West wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 32. West wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. West wind 6 to 8 mph.
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 34. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
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MERIDEN, Conn. (WFSB) – Governor Ned Lamont activated Connecticut’s severe cold weather protocols as arctic air moves into the state during the holiday period.
The protocols were set to go into effect Christmas Day at 5 p.m. and remain active until Sunday, Dec. 28. Warming shelters were expected to be open statewide during this period. Residents were told to call 211 to find a shelter near them.
Click HERE for the latest forecast from Channel 3’s meteorologists.
Families brave cold for holiday traditions
Despite the frigid temperatures, families continued holiday traditions at locations like Hubbard Park in Meriden, where visitors bundled up to see the Festival of Silver Lights.
“It’s a yearly thing we do every single year. We’re from the town and we’re local. It’s nice to be out here and see the lights,” said Erwin Ndwiga of Meriden.
His family member Melissa Ndwiga shared her cold weather strategy: “If I’m going to wear a short sleeve shirt, I always wear thermal wear under. A jacket. I usually have three to four layers on. Hat, earmuffs, gloves.”
Safety recommendations during cold snap
State officials recommend several precautions during the freezing stretch:
- Check heating devices to ensure they work properly.
- Limit pets’ time outdoors.
- Check on elderly neighbors and family members, who are most vulnerable during extreme cold.
- Do not use a stove or oven to heat your home due to potential gas, carbon monoxide, and fire hazards.
- Check your vehicle before traveling: tires, lights, brakes, and windshield wipers.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full and carry an emergency kit.
Residents can find a nearby warming shelter by calling 211 or clicking HERE.
Copyright 2025 WFSB. All rights reserved.
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