A 39-year-old man is in custody after confessing to the murder of his stepmother in the small Polish village of Stary bystry on February 5. the case has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, where neighbors offer conflicting portrayals of the suspect, ranging from a devoted son to a man struggling with personal demons.Authorities say the incident stemmed from a morning dispute, but a clearer picture of the events leading to Zofia’s death is still emerging as investigators continue their work.
A brightly colored home in Poland is now the scene of a homicide investigation, after a man confessed to killing his stepmother on February 5. The case has left residents of the small village of Stary Bystry reeling and grappling with conflicting perceptions of the suspect.
“That’s the house where Andrzej attacked Zośka,” a local resident pointed out, directing a visitor toward the building. “When all the ambulances and police cars showed up yesterday, we didn’t know what had happened. Word slowly spread through the village about the tragedy. We’re really in shock. You always say that when something like this happens, but I’m truly shaken by it. I knew those people, I knew the suspect. I shook his hand just yesterday, we talked. To me, he was a good man,” he added.
The incident occurred at the home of Józef and Zofia, a couple in their 70s. The pair had spent much of the past several years living apart, mirroring a pattern common among residents of the Podhale region. Both Andrzej and Zofia had previously lived in Chicago, working and saving money before returning to Poland in their later years.
Andrzej, Józef’s son from a previous marriage, joined them. Zofia and Andrzej would periodically return to the United States, maintaining a second life there, while one of them remained in Poland to care for Józef.
Several years ago, Józef was diagnosed with cancer, ultimately leading to the amputation of his leg.
What charges has the man been facing?
What did neighbors say about the suspect?
What were the circumstances surrounding the murder?
Where was the senior citizen taken after the tragedy?
Conflicting Accounts Emerge
Residents of Stary Bystry and the neighboring village of Rogoźnik offered a range of perspectives on the family’s recent history. Many said Andrzej had been primarily responsible for caring for his father and tending to the family’s livestock in recent months. Others indicated Zofia had recently returned from the United States to assist with his care, with some believing she had come to relieve Andrzej of his duties, while others said the three had planned to live together in Poland for an extended period.
Some residents said Zofia’s return was intended to allow Andrzej to return to the U.S., while others maintained the family intended to remain in Poland together. Accounts of Andrzej’s behavior also varied widely. “I’m in shock that Jędrek would do something like this,” one resident said. “He was a great guy and a really good son. He took excellent care of his sick father, the house, and the farm. He was polite and didn’t cause anyone any trouble. How could he suddenly snap and kill his stepmother? He always got along with her.” Several other residents echoed similar sentiments.
However, others suggested Andrzej had been struggling with substance abuse, becoming aggressive and engaging in altercations. They claimed police had been called to the property in recent weeks, and recounted an incident several months prior in which Andrzej reportedly ran through the street wielding a knife. These residents speculated Zofia’s recent arrival from the U.S. may have fueled Andrzej’s fears that she would convince his father to change his will, potentially disinheriting him. The case underscores the complexities that can lie beneath the surface of seemingly quiet communities.
Police, however, downplayed those claims. “This wasn’t a family we would classify as ‘problematic,’” said Police Sub-Commissioner Jarosław Stelmach, spokesperson for the Nowy Targ County Police Department. “In the last two years, we responded to two incidents at the property, one of which was yesterday’s discovery of the body. The previous incident occurred some time ago. We received no reports of violence or disturbances in the weeks leading up to the incident.”
This suggests the possibility of domestic violence was not a long-standing issue. The family had also been under the care of the Municipal Social Assistance Center in Czarny Dunajec due to the senior citizen’s illness, with a social worker making regular visits to the home. According to reports, the social worker also observed no escalating problems or signs of abuse.
Dispute Over Early Wake-Up Call
Investigators have pieced together a possible timeline of events. On February 5, Józef and Zofia reportedly woke up early and allegedly woke Andrzej, asking him to tend to the sheep. This reportedly angered Andrzej, and a dispute erupted between the three of them.
Józef then called for an ambulance and police. Emergency services arrived but found only the elderly man at the residence. The two women were missing. Responders searched the property, but initially found no evidence of a crime. The ambulance left, and police began searching the surrounding area, believing the women may have left on their own. Meanwhile, a neighbor, who occasionally helped the family with farm work, was asked to feed the sheep. It was this neighbor who discovered Zofia’s body near the barn.
The ambulance returned to Stary Bystry, but paramedics were unable to save Zofia’s life. Andrzej then returned to the house and surrendered to police without resistance.
Suspect Confesses
“We have interrogated the suspect,” said Prosecutor Łukasz Ostrowski, Deputy District Prosecutor in Nowy Targ. “He confessed to the charges against him and provided a detailed statement. We have requested a temporary arrest warrant.”
According to the prosecutor, Andrzej was sober at the time of the murder and did not appear to be under the influence of any drugs. There is no indication he had a history of substance abuse.
“I also want to definitively deny the rumors circulating in Podhale that the victim’s body was desecrated or dismembered. Nothing like that happened,” the prosecutor added.
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Michał Jarończyk, the vice-mayor of Czarny Dunajec, addressed the situation regarding Józef’s care. “After the tragedy, the question arose of who would care for the sick senior citizen,” he said. “His wife is deceased, and his son is in custody. In this situation, our social services transported him to St. John Paul II County Hospital in Nowy Targ, where they were able to find him a bed in the palliative care unit.”
