Grand jury indicts Lewes man for murder in hotel assault case
Lewes, DE — A Delaware man has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge months after an assault at a Lewes hotel left a woman with fatal injuries.
Dempsey Fritchey, 30, of Lewes, was indicted by a Sussex County Grand Jury on April 13 in connection with the January incident, according to Delaware State Police.
Troopers responded around 5:45 p.m. January 29 to the Hyatt House on Five Points Square after a hotel guest reported that he had killed his grandmother. Officers encountered Fritchey near the lobby, where he told them he may have been responsible, police said.
Inside a hotel room, troopers located 72-year-old Elizabeth Fritchey unconscious with injuries to her face and head. She was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Authorities said she died on February 10 as a result of those injuries.
Fritchey was detained at the scene without incident and remains in custody at the Delaware Department of Correction following the indictment.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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Key Points
- Lewes man indicted for first-degree murder in hotel assault case
- Victim died days after being found with serious injuries
- Suspect remains in custody following grand jury indictment