Son Charged With Murder Of Woman Found Dead In Washington Heights: DA

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — The son of a Bronx woman found dead Saturday in Washington Heights has been charged with her murder, a spokeswoman from the Bronx District Attorney's Office told Patch.

Joseph Garcia, 31, faces a charge of second-degree murder in the death of his mother Joan Viau, 52. Viau's body was found in a wooded area near West 187 Street and Chittenden Avenue, police told Patch. An investigation revealed that her body was likely thrown over a wall on Chittenden avenue overlooking the Hudson River Greenway, police told Patch.

When murder charges were announced in court Tuesday Garcia reportedly went on an unhinged rant.

"I need an attorney that’s fully informed," Garcia shouted in court, as reported by the Daily News. "An actual attorney. And an actual life."

Viau was last seen at her home in the Williamsbridge neighborhood of the Bronx on Monday, Jan. 23, police said. She was reported missing two days later on Jan. 25, police said.

During the investigation into Viau' disappearance blood was found in the woman's house and car, police told Patch. Her son, Garcia, was arrested and charged with grand larceny for using her credit card while she was still missing, police said.

Garcia's next appearance in court will be on Friday, Feb. 3, a spokeswoman for the Bronx DA told Patch.

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