David Drummond: Evidence error leads to release of NYC man who killed his mom and stuffed her body in box

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: David Drummond, a 30-year-old Brooklyn man suspected of murdering his mother Shirley Awer and concealing her corpse in a box, has been released from custody due to an evidence glitch, according to sources close to the case.

Release despite murder charges

Drummond, who suffers from schizophrenia, was charged with the murder of his 67-year-old mother after a social worker discovered Awer's remains in their East Flatbush apartment on November 4. However, a recent revelation has created a legal quandary, potentially putting Drummond back on the streets.

Speaking to the New York Post, sources revealed that Drummond was moved from the custody of the Department of Correction earlier this month and was subsequently ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation at Bellevue Hospital.

A source within the hospital, speaking on the condition of anonymity, disclosed concerns about Drummond's potential release, stating, "The [assistant district attorney] said they didn't have enough to indict him. He's literally going to be in the community when we let him go."

They added, “We have no good option. He can’t stay in the hospital indefinitely, but it’s not safe to release him into the community,’’ the source added.

Despite being charged with murder, Drummond's fate hinges on the completion of an autopsy, which has been delayed due to the badly decomposed state of the victim's remains. Prosecutors and sources have expressed uncertainty regarding the cause of Awer's death, with a possibility raised that she may have died of natural causes.

"The cause of death is unclear. Without an autopsy, they can't confirm his statement that he hit her," explained a source familiar with the case, adding, “There’s a possibility she died of natural causes. It’s not typical for an autopsy to take this long, but the body was decomposed, so it’s taking longer."

Legal restrictions on mental health evaluation

While awaiting the autopsy results, Drummond was relocated from the forensic unit at Bellevue to a civilian unit for a court-ordered mental health evaluation. However, legal restrictions prevent him from being held indefinitely if he is not deemed an immediate threat.

A hospital employee emphasized the strict guidelines of mental hygiene law, stating, "We cannot keep potentially dangerous people indefinitely. Mental hygiene law is strict, and there is a high standard for involuntary commitment. The person has to present an immediate danger to keep them in the hospital – not just a potential threat."

“So if someone is a danger to society, and they’re credibly accused of crime, then they should remain in [city Department of Correction] custody,’’ the worker added.

According to the NY Post, New York state’s mental hygiene law requires a person to be a “serious harm to himself or herself or others” to warrant involuntary commitment. “The justice system and the court system, they’re dropping the ball,” the employee noted. “They are trying to brush this under the rug big time."

“It’s happened before where they have released someone who’s violent and put them on a civilian unit, compromising patients and staff, and passing the buck to hospital staff to keep them out of the community,” the employee added.

Drummond's next court appearance is scheduled for February 22. His public defender has not yet responded to inquiries. Meanwhile, the completion date of the autopsy remains uncertain, and the Office of the Medical Examiner has not provided any comments on the matter.

Stanley Drummond, the suspect's father, previously reported escalating threats made by his son against Awer in the weeks leading up to her tragic death. While Stanley declined to comment further on the case, he lamented the situation as "an unnecessary tragedy."

He said, “It’s been an unnecessary tragedy, and we’re working down all legal avenues to try to fix the situation so it won’t happen to anyone in the future,” he said.

Social media anger after evidence fiasco

Social media was inundated with a barrage of reactions to Drummond's release.

"Oh great. We’ll be hearing from this guy again," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Let 'em out let 'em out let 'em all out!!" another wrote.

"The prosecutors are out of practice," someone else added.

"But they can’t figure out why crime is so high," another fumed.