Former Commack Woman Sentenced for Brutal Murder of Disabled Son

A former Commack woman, who admitted to killing her disabled son, was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday, a year after she brutally attacking him by repeatedly stabbing him with a knife and striking him with a hammer – a vicious act she crime she can’t remember doing.

Tracey Zetzsche, 53, moved from Commack to Westerlo in 2011 with her 22-year-old son, Gabriel Philby-Zetzche. According to reports in The Albany Times Union, the pair had a very good relationship, in which Zetzche advocated for her son’s needs his whole life. Family members told the local paper that the two never fought, but on July 26, 2012 ,at their Westerlo apartment, Zetzche killed Gabriel by bludgeoning him in the head with a hammer more than 20 times and stabbing in the chest with two knives, and then left his body in the home for five days. The bloody act is one that Zetzche can’t remember

Mental health professionals described Zetzche’s memory loss as a legitimate case of amnesia, according to reports in The Albany Times Union.

There is no explanation as to what caused Zetzsche to commit such an atrocious act, but Judge Steven Herrick noted in his questioning that Zetzsche suffered from depression. She was several months behind in rent and was in the process of moving, according to the Times Union. 

According to the paper, Zetzsche gave an emotionally moving speech, expressing her disbelief and sorrow over the loss of her son, saying that he was a gift from God.

Zetzsche will spend 20 years in state prison, followed by five years of post release supervision.

A memorial Facebook page was set up to remember Philby-Zetzsch, in which he was described as a kind-hearted person, who was known for giving high-fives and rooted for his favorite teams, the Yankees and Knicks.