What We Know About The Horrific Murder Of Pawcatuck Mom

STONINGTON, CT —The man accused of killing Brandia Irvin is behind bars, held on $1.5 million bail.

The mother of two sons who was brutally stabbed on the morning of Saturday Nov. 30 in her Pawcatuck home, allegedly by longtime live-in boyfriend Carlton T. Henderson Jr., succumbed to the injuries she suffered.

Stonington Police Capt. Todd Olson said that Irvin, 41, passed away Friday afternoon at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Friends and family began sharing the terrible and heartbreaking news Friday afternoon.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts to have to repeat this but our beautiful friend has passed on. I want to thank everyone who prayed for her recovery. I now ask that you pray for her sons, her mother and her brothers...pray for their peace and strength," wrote friend Amy Rosado on Facebook.

Irvin was mother to son Javon, 12, a student at Stonington Middle School, and adult son Dante Irvin, 22.

Hundreds, indeed thousands, of people had been praying for Irvin with many posting on social media.

On Rosado's post, one comment summed up what many, including people who did know her well, but nonetheless were grieving, have been saying:

"My sincere condolences and many prayers go out to her children, family, friends, co-workers and all who knew her. I did not, briefly met her, but have always only heard that she was an awesome, kind, loving, giving person."

Another wrote, "My heart shatters for brandy, the boys, for you all of her friends and the whole family! Brandy was amazing, hilarious, and always had that beautiful smile on her face! I’ll never forget her wittiness, her loyalty, and the love she always gave to us kids! I love you Amy I’ll never stop praying for her and her family."

The Horrific Attack

Patch has requested the charging documents from Stonington Police.

Based on the probable cause affidavit charging Henderson, reported by a Day journalist inside the court, and in part as initially reported by Patch, police got a 911 call about a domestic incident at 8:15 a.m. When they got there, they found a woman suffering from multiple, critical stab wounds.

The charging documents reported on by The Day detail the incident: Irvin was found near the stairway leading to the apartment with multiple stab wounds. Stonington Police officer Kristy Murray began performing on Irvin.

According to the report, Henderson was taking off in his car when other police officers got arrived. They signaled him to stop but, the report states, he drove toward an officer who “pointed his department-issued firearm at him. Henderson kept driving, forcing the two officers to jump out of the way, and headed north on Mechanic Street at high speed.”

The account of what her young son witnessed followed: he saw Henderson repeatedly strike his mother with a knife. He ran to a neighbor for help. That person called 911.

Mechanic Street home, Saturday night, Nov. 30 / Photo courtesy Chris Ward

Irvin was taken to The Westerly Hospital and then flown via LifeStar to the trauma unit at Yale New Haven Hospital. She passed away at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, 10 days before what would have been her 42nd birthday.

Henderson's Sister Said He Smoked PCP & She Tried To Lure Him To Surrender

In charging documents, known as affidavits by investigators that were reported on by The Day, an “acquaintance” of his told police Henderson smoked "wet," PCP-laced marijuana.

Henderson’s sister Tara Henderson told Patch that he often used the drug, also known as angel dust, and was “always looking behind his back ...paranoid.”

Tara Henderson and others on social media said Saturday that he was using the dangerous drug phencyclidine, PCP or Angel Dust. The effects of the drug include hallucinations, delusions, detachment from reality, and often, feelings of extreme of strength, and wild and unpredictable violent behavior.

In the documents reported on by The Day, the witness told police that early Saturday, they spoke to Henderson who said he did not remember stabbing Irvin.

As reported, “Another acquaintance said Henderson called at 9:18 a.m. that day, appeared calm at first and said he would ‘probably be dropping by.’”

Tara Henderson told Patch that she wanted him caught. And on Saturday, she tried to convince him to surrender to police.

She said she spoke to her brother and “tried to lure” him to turn himself in. She spoke in detail about their conversation, many of those details she did not want made public, but that ultimately, he did not show up. She told Patch Henderson was "unpredictable and paranoid" and “doesn't want to go to jail.”

"I told him 'turn yourself in so you can be safe.' He said, 'Yeah, I'm coming.' He didn't show up. He told me he's never going back (to jail). Never."

She said that anyone who sees him should steer clear and “call police.”

Tara Henderson said at the time she didn't know where he was but added he is likely "hiding in plain sight" in Mystic, Groton or New London. She said he frequents convenience stores, drinks Dunkin' Donuts coffee, always wears a baseball cap, is paranoid and suspicious of people. She said that he does not carry a gun, but may have a knife.

And said at the time that he as likely driving his gold 2005 Nissan Maxima.

Tara Henderson had posted on Facebook and not only removed the posts, but later deleted her page. Patch took screenshots of her initial posts where she called her brother "dangerous."

The Hunt For Henderson

Carlton T. Henderson Jr. / Stonington Police Department

Henderson was on the run for five days. After Patch first reported that Henderson was the suspect, by Sunday night, Olson confirmed that there was a warrant for Henderson's arrest on "domestic related charges."

And the victim's family and friends, as well as many of Henderson's family and friends, wanted him caught and were angry he was being harbored by someone. Days passed and people were on edge.

Then Tuesday, a Groton manhunt that shuttered schools and had residents nervous, all for a person believed to be Henderson, but turned out to be the wrong man.
Olson told Patch each day of the search that myriad officers and agencies were working around the clock.

Thursday night he was captured, taken into custody without incident at Hillside Apartments in Norwich during a joint operation with Norwich and Stonington police.

He was charged with criminal attempt to commit murder, assault in the first degree, risk of injury to a minor and criminal attempt to commit assault on a police officer.

Stonington Police detectives were assisted in the investigation by Connecticut State Police, Connecticut State’s Attorney's Office, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, the FBI, Groton Town Police, Groton City Police, Norwich Police Department, the New York Police Department, Mashantucket Tribal Police Department and Amtrak Police. Olson said he was grateful to all the agencies involved.

Henderson was first held at the Stonington Police Department on a $250,000 court-set bond. Then Friday, arraigned, he was ordered held by a judge on $1.5 million bond.

Henderson's Criminal History

Henderson, 43, has lived in New London, Groton, Mystic and New York, but living in Pawcatuck since at least 2017, according to his father's obituary.

In posts on social media following the attack Saturday, Henderson was called a “monster.” But just a few months ago, hundreds on social media were praying for him, and his large and extended family.

Henderson, who goes by the name Chico, was in July reported by Groton Police, and his family, to be a missing person.

At the time, hundreds of people shared posts about the missing man.

At the time, a family member wrote on Facebook pleading for help in finding him. And then family and friends rejoiced when he was located.

But the man who so many appeared to care about has a long criminal history. His sister said in a lengthy interview with Patch that her brother has been "institutionalized" having spent years in prison.

The Day reported on that criminal history, some of which does not appear in state online judicial records. In 1994, he was convicted of selling drugs and not showing up in court. In 2003, got three years for an armed home invasion. In 2009, was picked up for violating parole and in 2016, was charged with pot possession.

A GoFundMe For Irvin’s Family Created, Vigil Planned

In a GoFundMe created Monday to "raise money for her medical expenses and to help make sure they stay afloat after such a heartbreaking and horrific incident has occurred," just first names are used.

With a goal of $10,000, the campaign has $6,000 in donations promised. The GoFundMe was made by family friend Courtney Elizabeth Beck. Holiday gifts and gift cards for her sons are being accepted at the Mystic YMCA at 1 Harry Austin Drive. The contact is Youth Development Director Britney Bruno.

Friend Amy Rosado wrote, “It is with the heaviest of hearts to have to repeat this but our beautiful friend has passed on. I want to thank everyone who prayed for her recovery. I now ask that you pray for her sons, her mother and her brothers...pray for their peace and strength. There will be a celebration of her life on Sunday Dec 15 at the Groton Elks from 2-6. We encourage all to come and celebrate the beautiful life of Brandy Irvin. She will be missed dearly. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.”