Content warning: This article contains discussion of domestic violence and child abuse that some readers may find deeply distressing.
A horrific tragedy unfolded in North Sacramento County on a December morning, leaving a community shocked and a family devastated. On Saturday, December 21, at approximately 4:15 am, local law enforcement responded to a reported family disturbance that would quickly escalate into one of the most disturbing criminal cases in recent memory.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, officers initially arrived at a home on Versailles Way after receiving reports of a domestic violence incident. A woman outside the residence reported that her husband, 28-year-old Andrey Demskiy, had assaulted her and her mother. What began as a domestic dispute would soon reveal an unimaginable act of violence against an innocent child.
When police attempted to make contact with Demskiy, he refused to answer the door. Deputies learned that a one-year-old boy was inside the home with him, potentially at risk of harm. Concerned for the child’s safety, officers were forced to enter the residence. Upon confronting Demskiy, they found him uncooperative and physically resistant to their attempts to detain him.
The situation took a horrifying turn when investigators made what the Sheriff’s Office described as a “gruesome discovery” – the severed head of a child inside the room. The victim was later identified as Micah Demskiy, the suspect’s own son. Amar Gandhi, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, called it “one of the most horrific things” he had ever encountered, noting that even seasoned law enforcement officers were visibly shaken by the incident.
Investigators believe the tragedy unfolded after a domestic violence incident involving Demskiy’s wife and mother-in-law. When the two women left the home, Demskiy is accused of using a knife to brutally murder his young son. The mother-in-law was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries in the aftermath of the attack.
In stark contrast to the violence, a GoFundMe page set up for the family described little Micah as “a kind and joyful soul” whose beautiful smile touched everyone he met. “He loved his family and especially his mama,” the page reads, a heartbreaking tribute to a life cut tragically short.
Andrey Demskiy was immediately arrested and booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail. Court records show he has been charged with multiple serious offenses, including assault likely to produce great bodily injury, corporal injury to a spouse, and murder. He was deemed ineligible for bail and was scheduled to appear in court on December 24.
This devastating incident serves as a painful reminder of the potential for domestic violence to escalate into unthinkable tragedy. For those struggling with similar challenges, support is available.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is just a phone call away. The national domestic violence helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). For concerns about child welfare, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline operates around the clock at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453), providing confidential support and resources.