Woman Found Dead in Farmingdale Was A Popular Farmingdale State College Professor

The woman found decapitated in Farmingdale Tuesday was a popular longtime language arts professor at Farmingdale State College, and police believe she was murdered by her son who had a history of mental illness.

“Patricia Ward was a member of the campus for 28 years. She was well-known, well-liked, and well-respected,” Patrick Calabria, vice president of institutional advancement at Farmingdale State, told Patch. “The campus is a very sad place today.”

Ward, who was in her 60s, was an assistant professor of language arts at the campus’ Educational Opportunity Center, which works with high school students who need help preparing for college. She also worked at the college’s Brentwood campus.

Ward’s severed head and body were discovered at 7:55 p.m. Tuesday in front of 130 Secatogue Avenue. Nassau Police said that approximately 25 minutes later MTA police reported that a male in his 30s was struck and killed by a Long Island Rail Road train about 1,000 feet west of Clinton Avenue.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Nassau Detective Lieutenant John Azzata said Patricia Ward was last seen alive at about 4 p.m., and that it appeared that she had been killed inside her apartment. Police believe her body was removed by her son, Derek Ward, 35.

Police believe Derek Ward then walked to the nearby railroad tracks, was killed when he was struck by a westbound train.

Derek Ward was said to have a history of psychiatric problems and a criminal record that included weapon and drug charges, according to police. He had been troubled since the recent death of his paternal grandfather, police said.

Police say a knife they found at the crime scene appears to be the murder weapon.

Meanwhile, grief counselors are being provided to the Farmingdale State College community, Calabria said.

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