Update – Suspect Indicted for Murder State Police Detectives Arrest Lewes Man for Felony Assault

Date Posted: Friday, May 1st, 2026

The Delaware State Police have secured a murder indictment for 30-year-old Dempsey Fritchey of Lewes, Delaware, following an assault that occurred in January in Lewes.

On January 29, 2026, at approximately 5:45 p.m., troopers responded to the Hyatt House, located at 17254 Five Points Square in Lewes, after a guest told hotel staff that he had killed his grandmother in one of the hotel rooms. When troopers arrived, they spoke to the suspect, identified as Dempsey Fritchey, who was near the lobby and told troopers that he may have killed his grandmother. He was detained without incident. Troopers responded to the room and found a 72-year-old woman, identified as Elizabeth Fritchey, unconscious and suffering from injuries to her face and head. Troopers provided medical aid to the victim until EMS arrived and she was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. On February 10, 2026, she died from the injuries she received during the assault.

On April 13, 2026, Fritchey was indicted by a Sussex County Grand Jury for first degree murder and remains committed to the Delaware Department of Correction.

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or has lost a loved one to a sudden death and needs assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center. is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.

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