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Lisa Sawyer smiles with her son, Ty, in a photo taken about two years ago. Sawyer is demanding justice for her son, who died after an April 26 fight at a party.(Photo: Courtesy of Lisa Sawyer)
WILMINGTON, Del. — The mother of Ty Sawyer, the 20-year-old Middletown, Del., man who died after an April 26 fight at a party near Odessa, is calling for justice for her son, but police say they don't have evidence to file charges and medical authorities still haven't determined his cause of death.
Lisa Sawyer, who contends her son was beaten to death, said criminal charges should be filed against the other young man, echoing calls that have circulated on social media in the eight days since the two fought.
Police and paramedics found Sawyer unconscious about 2 a.m. April 26 after being called to a home in the 200 block of East Bradford Court in Misty Vale Farm. He was rushed to Christiana Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police have not identified the other man and The News Journal is not naming him.
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On Monday, officials said it could be a month or longer before they determine the cause and manner of Sawyer's death, noting that one reason is the time is takes to complete toxicology testing.
"It angers me because I just want to know what happened," Sawyer said Monday. "My son cannot speak for himself, so I will speak for him and I will make sure that this is handled properly."
New Castle County police, investigating the death of a man found unconscious outside a home in the Misty Vale Farm neighborhood north of Odessa on April 26.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>(Photo: JOHN J. JANKOWSKI JR./SPECIAL TO THE NEWS JOURNAL)
Sawyer also said the lead detective has been disrespectful to her during the most painful time in her life. "I don't trust the New Castle County police," she said.
Even though her son's funeral was Saturday, she has not buried him and might have her own autopsy done if she is not satisfied with the results, Sawyer said, mentioning the ongoing scandal over drug evidence stolen from the former state Medical Examiner's Office. "There's so much corruption," she said.
Kimberly H. Chandler, spokeswoman for the state Department of Safety and Homeland Security, which oversees the newly named Division of Forensic Science, countered that the autopsy report on Sawyer is not completed.
"The manner and cause of death are pending further studies," including toxicology tests on Sawyer, Chandler said Monday. The final report should be ready in about three to four weeks "but it could take longer."
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County police Chief Elmer Setting said he empathizes with Sawyer but emphasized that his agency is conducting a thorough investigation in conjunction with Attorney General Matt Denn's office. Both have agreed that at this point no charges should be filed, Setting said.
"We are waiting for scientific reports but as of now we don't have enough evidence to file charges," Setting said.
Setting said he could not reveal too much about the investigation, but said five separate witnesses have said Sawyer and the other man were "mutual combatants." He urged anyone else with relevant information to contact county police.
"Her son's death is absolutely tragic and I understand she's upset and blaming the police. It's a very popular thing to do," Setting said. "But in the end if there is enough evidence to file charges, we will."
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