A Lewes man initially charged in connection with a violent assault at a hotel has now been indicted on a murder charge, according to the Delaware State Police.
On January 29, 2026, at approximately 5:45 p.m., troopers responded to the Hyatt House, located at 17254 Five Points Square in Lewes, after a guest told hotel staff that he had killed his grandmother in one of the hotel rooms. When troopers arrived, they spoke to the suspect, identified as Dempsey Fritchey, who was near the lobby and told troopers that he may have killed his grandmother. He was detained without incident.
Troopers responded to the room and found a 72-year-old woman, identified as Elizabeth Fritchey, unconscious and suffering from injuries to her face and head. Troopers provided medical aid to the victim until EMS arrived and she was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. On February 10, 2026, she died from the injuries she received during the assault.
Investigators determined the woman had been staying in the room with Fritchey when he allegedly assaulted her using his hands and feet. After the incident, police said he went to the lobby and notified staff. He was initially charged with first-degree assault and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $300,000 cash bail following arraignment in Justice of the Peace Court 11.
In mid-April, a Sussex County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Fritchey with first-degree murder in connection with the case. He remains in custody with the Delaware Department of Correction as the case proceeds.
