A woman in Maine told authorities she woke up to her son beating her with a 25-pound barbell plate before he allegedly forced her on a two-hour drive and stabbed her with a butter knife, according to law enforcement officials.
Nathan Lagasse, 27, was arrested Friday by officers with the Orono Police Department several miles from where the alleged attack occurred in Old Town, Maine. He has been charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault, kidnapping, and obstructing justice, according to jail records reviewed by Law&Crime.
Background
The incident began early Thursday morning when authorities say the victim woke up around 5:30 a.m. to find her son attacking her inside their home in Old Town, located approximately 140 miles northeast of Portland in central Maine. According to police reports, Lagasse struck his mother with the heavy barbell plate before allegedly using additional weapons.
Investigators say Lagasse also used a butter knife to scratch and stab the victim, as well as utilized pliers during the assault. The alleged attack left the woman with non-life-threatening injuries that required hospitalization, authorities said.
After the initial assault, police allege Lagasse forced his mother into a vehicle for an approximately two-hour drive before abandoning her at an undisclosed location. During this time, officials say he took her cellular phone, wallet, and keys to prevent her from seeking help.
The Investigation
Once abandoned, the victim managed to access her laptop computer and contact a friend who subsequently contacted emergency responders, according to authorities. Law enforcement immediately launched an extensive search operation for Lagasse.
Officers deployed aerial assets including helicopters and drones while ground teams scoured nearby wooded areas in their hunt for the suspect, regional ABC affiliate WMTW reported. The multi-agency effort ultimately led Orono Police Department officers to locate and arrest Lagasse several miles south of Old Town in Orono, Maine.
Lagasse made his first court appearance Friday where his defense attorney offered a preliminary account of events. According to the local outlet, counsel stated that Lagasse characterized his mother as being "psychotic" and claimed he deployed the pliers in self-defense. These assertions have not been tested at trial and remain part of the pre-trial narrative.
Key Takeaways
- Nathan Lagasse, 27, has been charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping, and obstructing justice following alleged attack on his mother in Old Town, Maine
- Authorities say the victim was struck with a 25-pound barbell plate and stabbed with a butter knife during the early morning assault Thursday
- Police deployed helicopters, drones, and ground teams before arresting Lagasse several miles away in Orono on Friday
- The suspect allegedly forced his mother on a two-hour drive and took her phone, wallet, and keys before abandoning her
- Defense attorney claims Lagasse acted in self-defense, characterizing the alleged victim as "psychotic"
What's Next
Lagasse is being held at the Penobscot County Jail with bail set at $50,000. A judge ordered the defendant to undergo a mental health evaluation as a condition of any potential release. The next scheduled court date has been set for December 8 in the matter.
Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues. Law enforcement authorities say they are still gathering evidence and witness statements related to the alleged attack and subsequent manhunt.