Lewes man indicted for January murder

A Sussex County grand jury has indicted a Lewes man for the January murder of his 72-year-old grandmother.

Dempsey Fritchey, 30, is facing first-degree murder charges after Delaware State Police say he assaulted Elizabeth Fritchey, who later died from her injuries. 

Police say troopers responded to the Hyatt House in Lewes Jan. 29, after a guest told hotel staff that Fritchey had killed his grandmother in one of the rooms. When police arrived, they interviewed Fritchey, who told them he may have killed his grandmother. He was detained without incident.

Police said they found Elizabeth Fritchey unconscious and suffering from injuries to her face and head. She was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, which she died from Feb. 10. 

Fritchey was committed to the Delaware Department of Correction where he remains in custody, police said.