Son Of LaGuardia High School Teacher Charged In Her Death

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A 911 call for help Tuesday morning turned into the death investigation of a Manhattan woman.

The woman, 63-year-old Karyn Kay, was discovered beaten to death at her Midtown high-rise apartment and her teenage son was charged with the horrific crime late Tuesday night, CBS 2 has learned.

Neighbors outside Kay's apartment on West 55th and 8th Street were in shock. They said mother and son would often be heard arguing in their 10th floor apartment and in the elevator.

Some said Kay, an English teacher at Manhattan's LaGuardia High School, had been beaten up before.

"Neighbors have been complaining, they've moved out. Past year, it's been okay, but before that there's been reports to the police," one neighbor told CBS 2's Derricke Dennis.

Sources told 1010 WINS that the victim called 911, saying that her son was having a seizure. When cops arrived, they found Kay unconscious and not moving.  CBS 2 reported Kay had severe head trauma.

A tearful man identified as 19-year-old Henry Wachtel was seen in the back of a police car, handcuffed and in what appeared to be a police-issued jumpsuit.

"I know they used to argue a lot, always thought it was regular teenage stuff, rebellious stuff," said neighbor Debra Alberts.

"To kill your mother, I can only think maybe drugs," said neighbor Hasiba Ali.

Kay died at the hospital and neighbors heard her 911 call through the door.

"He was in the background, saying 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, I love you,'" said a neighbor.

Now, Wachtel is under arrest.

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