Cops: Brentwood man suffocated mother, 98

A Brentwood man is accused of suffocating his 98-year-old mother and living, in the house they shared, with her dead body for five days, police said Saturday.

Juan R. Gonzalez, 69, was charged with second-degree murder in the death of his mother, Teresa Astete, who was found in her bed Friday about 5:20 p.m., Suffolk County police said.

They said Gonzales tried to take his own life sometime before they arrived and is hospitalized.

A 911 call indicated somebody was sick or needing assistance in the Wilson Street home, police said.

When officers came to the house, Gonzales was disoriented and injured from an apparent suicide attempt, according to police.

Lt. Gerard Pelkofsky, commander of the county police homicide unit, said evidence indicated Gonzalez killed his mother on May 29. He refused to comment on how the mother was allegedly suffocated or on a possible motive.

"There were indications that it was a homicide, but I wouldn't comment on what they were," he said.

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Pelkofsky said Gonzalez "took some medication and cut himself" before officers arrived.

Neighbors were shocked to learn of the alleged slaying.

Giovanni Castrillon, 32, who lives in an apartment upstairs from the mother and son, said that Gonzalez loved his mother deeply and seemed incapable of killing her.

Eliana Cardenas, 37, who lives across the street, said she saw the elderly woman occasionally.

Michelle Walsh, 32, who lives three houses away from the home, said that in the 14 years she's lived in the neighborhood, she's never seen the elderly woman -- or seen any signs of a disturbance at her home.

The two-story, gray duplex is owned by Gonzalez's son, Ronald, who lives in Hicksville, according to neighbors and online records.

Attempts to reach Ronald Gonzalez were unsuccessful Saturday.

Juan Gonzalez was being treated late Saturday at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore.

He will be arraigned at a later date, police said.

With Keith Herbert