A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of bludgeoning and stabbing his mother to death inside her Albany home Saturday night, two days after his release from the Benton County jail, police say.
Michael A. Flitcroft faces one count of second-degree murder after police say they found 67-year-old Suzanne Smith dead inside her home on Del Rio Avenue near Moraga Avenue about 9:30 p.m. Officers arrested Flitcroft, who did not live with his parents, in a street outside the home, according to authorities.
Flitcroft’s stepfather, Stewart Smith, called 911 but dispatchers heard only an “open line” and sounds of struggle, according to Albany Police Lt. Buck Pearce.
Flitcroft also faces charges of fourth-degree assault and unlawful use of a weapon for allegedly injuring and brandishing a knife at Stewart Smith, according to the lieutenant.
Court records show Flitcroft has been arrested 11 times since 2010 and is a registered sex offender. He underwent mental health treatment at the Oregon State Hospital in 2022 and was described as suffering from delusions, court records show.
Pearce said officers haven’t determined a possible motive for the killing and are currently investigating what Flitcroft had been doing since his release April 13 from the county jail on disorderly conduct and harassment charges.
— Zane Sparling; zsparling@oregonian.com; 503-319-7083; @pdxzane
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