Long Island Man Confesses to Drowning Mother in Family Pool, Reports Say

UPDATED August 18 at 2:50 p.m.: COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY – A 23-year-old man arrested Wednesday for drowning his mother in their family pool in Cold Spring Harbor has reportedly confessed to the crime.

Denis D. Cullen Jr. admitted on videotape to killing his mother, 63-year-old Elizabeth Cullen, by holding her head underwater during an argument, according to NBC.

The argument was over Cullen not taking his medication, Newsday reports.

Cullen, who has no criminal record, then hid her body in a shed, covered it with a dinghy and took a train to Manhattan to confess the murder to his sister, NBC reports.

Cullen was arrested and charged with second-degree murder after Lloyd Harbor Police officers responded to a White Hill Road home at 4 p.m. to check on the welfare of Elizabeth Cullen, police say.

The woman was found dead in the backyard, police say.

Cullen, who lives with his parents, returned to the home as Homicide Squad detectives were processing the scene at about 5:50 p.m. and he was placed under arrest for murder, Newsday reports.

Cullen is being held on $5 million cash bail or $8 million bond, NBC reports.

Editor's Note: Patch originally reported the incident took place in Lloyd Harbor. The correct location is Cold Spring Harbor. Patch regrets this error.