MICHAEL BREA, a 31-year-old American actor who had roles in the hit show 'Ugly Betty' as well as in the movie 'Step Up 3d', has been arrested on suspicion of killing his mother with a ceremonial masonic sword, reports the New York Daily News. 'Yannick Brea' was found dead at her home in Brooklyn yesterday (23rd November 2010) and witnesses say they heard the actor religiously chanting before hearing screams.
Greg Clare, a resident of the building where Mrs Brea was killed, said he first heard the screams coming from the Brea's apartment at 1am, adding, "He kept chanting: 'Repent! Repent! Repent!' He kept asking her if she believed in Jesus Christ, if she believed in God. She was yelling 'Help me! Help me!" The New York Daily News quote a police source as saying the murder weapon was a three-foot ceremonial Masonic sword.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said on entering the apartment they found Mr Brea brandishing the large weapon and immediately called for backup, adding, "It was a barricaded situation. When there is a barricade situation responding patrol officers, if possible, wait for Emergency Services Unit to respond, they're trained psychological technicians". The 31-year-old was arrested at the scene, and is said to be undergoing psychiatric examinations.