CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — A Chesterfield man who confessed to killing his father will undergo a mental health evaluation to determine if he is fit to stand trial.
On March 26, 46-year-old Frank Wyatt admitted to killing his 69-year-old father, Richard Wyatt, at their shared home on Goldenbrook Drive. Wyatt was arrested and, on April 1, appeared in court for the first time since the confession. During the hearing, Wyatt requested that he be referred to as “McLeod” throughout the case, despite this name having no legal or familial connection to him.
The circumstances surrounding Richard Wyatt’s death remain under investigation, but officials believe that the killing occurred within days of Frank Wyatt’s confession. Initially, Wyatt told investigators that the incident happened a month earlier, though evidence suggested it occurred within a week of his admission.
Chesterfield County Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Captain Randy Horowitz stated, “There’s no question that he has some… issues with reality,” referring to Wyatt’s mental state at the time of his arrest. In response to questions regarding Wyatt’s mental health, the court has ordered that he undergo a psychological evaluation to assess his competency before proceeding with his second-degree murder trial.
Documents obtained by 8News indicate that Wyatt has a history of mental health struggles. His ex-wife, in a divorce filing, alleged that Wyatt held strong beliefs in ghosts and the supernatural. Court records also show a history of violent behavior, and Wyatt had been placed on indefinite probation in the past. While it remains unclear whether Wyatt is suffering from a specific mental illness, records suggest that his past behavior aligns with symptoms often associated with schizophrenia.
Neighbors of the Wyatt family have expressed concern about the lack of mental health resources available to those in need. Alan Harvey, a neighbor of the Wyatt family, commented, “There are so many people out there that need help and don’t have it, you know, or don’t want to get it, and then tragic things like this end up happening.”
While Frank Wyatt’s mental health status is under review, the investigation into the events that led to Richard Wyatt’s death is ongoing. Police have confirmed that Frank Wyatt has confessed to the killing, but details about the conflict between the father and son remain unclear. Authorities are continuing to seek any additional information from those familiar with the family to piece together the full story.
“We have a confession, so we’re not looking for the public to come forward telling us who did something, but obviously, if they’re familiar with the family and can add to the background, we’re missing most of that background information from a reliable source,” Captain Horowitz said.
Frank Wyatt remains in state custody as he awaits the results of his mental health evaluation. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 5, when the case will proceed, pending the evaluation’s outcome.
The case continues to raise questions about the intersection of mental health and violent crime, as well as the support systems available for individuals struggling with mental illness.
