Hammer Attack In Manchester Turns Into Homicide

MANCHESTER, CT — A 72-year-old woman already facing serious assault charges related to an April 23 hammer attack in Manchester could be facing more charges after the victim in the case died, authorities said.

Court records show that Dalas Elder is currently being held on a $750,000 bond. She was charged on April 23 with first-degree assault, first-degree assault on an elderly person, tampering with evidence, carrying a dangerous weapon and interfering with an officer. She is due back in court on June 4, records show. Her initial bond was $1.025 million.

That appearance may come with additional charges after the vicim, 73-year-old Andrea Mazzoli, died on April 28 at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, where she was taken after the attack, authorities said. The case has been ruled a homicide, authorities said.

According to a police report, Mazzoli was found lying on the ground outside an apartment building at 619 Hartford Road with injuries consistent with those made by a hammer. Reviews of surveillance footage, showed a resident of the building walking with a hammer in a hallway near the spot where Mazzoli was located, a report indicates.

The person with the hammer was then identified as Elder and Elder was arrested, authorities said.

The attack is still under investigation and additional charges are pending, police said. Anyone with details on the case is being asked to call Detective Tomasz Kaczerski at 860-645-5546, the Manchester Police Department Investigative Services Unit at 860-645-5510 or the main line at 860-645-5500.