Son charged in fatal attack of elderly woman

COEUR d’ALENE — Police have arrested a man accused of attacking his elderly mother in her home last September, causing fatal injuries, apprehending the suspect as he prepared to fly to China, according to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.

Neil F. Stratton, 52, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with first degree murder, burglary and destruction of evidence, all felonies, in connection with the death of his mother, 77-year-old Susan M. Stratton. 

The charges stem from Sept. 18 of last year, when Coeur d’Alene police responded to the 1100 block of E. Skyline Drive for a report of an unconscious elderly woman with “severe injuries.” 

The woman, Susan Stratton, later died from her injuries and her death was ruled a homicide. 

Her son, Neil Stratton, emerged as a suspect early in the investigation, according to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. 

While working to locate Neil Stratton, detectives learned he had left the area and was planning to travel from California to China, according to police. 

U.S. Marshals arrested Neil Stratton around 8 a.m. Friday, near Los Angeles. He is awaiting extradition to Coeur d’Alene.