LEWES, DE – Delaware State Police have arrested Dempsey Fritchey, 30, of Lewes, after he allegedly assaulted his grandmother inside a hotel room Wednesday evening, leaving her with life-threatening injuries.
According to investigators, the incident occurred around 5:45 p.m. on January 29, 2026, at the Hyatt House located at 17254 Five Points Square. Police said Fritchey approached hotel staff and claimed he had killed his grandmother. When troopers arrived, they found him in the lobby, where he again stated that he may have attacked her.
Troopers detained Fritchey without incident and went to the hotel room, where they discovered a 72-year-old woman unconscious and suffering from severe injuries to her face and head. Officers administered medical aid until EMS personnel arrived. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
Detectives with the Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit determined that the assault occurred while the two were staying together in the room. Police said Fritchey, for reasons still unknown, attacked his grandmother using his hands and feet before leaving to alert staff.
Fritchey was arrested and taken to Troop 7, where he was charged with Assault 1st Degree – Conduct, Created Risk of Death, Caused Serious Injury (Felony). He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $300,000 cash bond.
- Dempsey Fritchey, 30, arrested for allegedly assaulting his grandmother at a Lewes hotel.
- The 72-year-old victim sustained life-threatening head injuries and remains hospitalized.
- Fritchey is being held on $300,000 cash bail at Sussex Correctional Institution.
The Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit continues to investigate the incident.