Dead Mom Impersonator: Yep, It Gets Weirder Again

You already know some of Thomas Prusik-Parkin's reasoning for dressing up like his dead mother, Irene Prusik, for six years to cash her Social Security checks and collect other benefits. During his arrest, he reportedly told authorities, "I held my mother when she was dying and breathed in her last breath, so I am my mother." Then yesterday we learned that this man, now being held in lieu of $1 million bail, kept a casket in his home for undisclosed reasons—though it's safe to assume that's where he'd sleep, all snug and cozy in Irene's nightgown. And now it gets creepier, if that's even possible: According to court papers obtained by the Post, Prusik-Parkin says he was just following Mommy's orders. "She said, 'I will guide you,' he told cops after his arrest Tuesday. "I therefore have had to put on her things and represent the part of me that is her in order to fight for our rights and our home." Aw, a nice young man standing up for his mother's rights; maybe this story isn't so twisted after all!

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on June 19, 2009 10:51 AM

Comments [rss]

Spirit of 76

This is brilliant. He must have been plotting this for years, getting ready for an insanity defense if he ever got caught. Casket in the living room, voice from beyond the grave. Now that's some forward-looking planning.

Gothampc

Is it wrong of me to suspect that this is a Sacha Baron Cohen stunt?

Qraymond

This would make an excellent Storycore.

Qraymond

errr... storycorps.

keepdiscoevil

Was Thomas water-skiing over sharks when he said this?

NannyState

I bet he bought himself something sexy for Mother's Day.

r1b2

"I therefore have had to put on her things and represent the part of me that is her in order to fight for our rights and our home."

Of course, Thomas, you might have considered getting a job as a means to protect your home. Just throwing that thought out there. A job? No, not familiar witht he idea? Okay.

r1b2

"I therefore have had to put on her things and represent the part of me that is her in order to fight for our rights and our home."

Of course, Thomas, you might have considered getting a job as a means to protect your home. Just throwing that thought out there. A job? No, not familiar witht he idea? Okay.