FLORIDA ‘INTUITIVE HEALER’ POSTED ABOUT FORGIVENESS BEFORE MOTHER’S DEATH, POLICE SAY

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — A Florida man who described himself online as a life coach and “intuitive healer” is facing a first-degree murder charge after authorities say he called police and reported that he had killed his mother.

Alexander Harrington, 50, was arrested September 11 following the death of his 77-year-old mother, Susan Baratto, at their home in Delray Beach, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and an arrest affidavit cited by multiple outlets.

The case has drawn attention because of a social media video Harrington posted shortly before his mother’s death. In the video, he spoke at length about forgiveness and emotional healing.

VIDEO ABOUT FORGIVENESS

According to PEOPLE, Harrington posted the video on Facebook the day before Baratto was found dead.

On his social media page, Harrington described himself as an “intuitive healer.” In the video, he talked about forgiving people who had hurt him and said emotional healing required more than simply describing oneself as a forgiving person.

He also discussed writing down the names of people who had hurt him and saying that he had forgiven them.

The post has since attracted attention because of its timing, although authorities have not publicly said that the video was connected to the events that followed.

POLICE SAY HARRINGTON CALLED 911

Authorities say the investigation began when Harrington called police at about 2 p.m. on September 11 and reported that he had killed his mother.

Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies responded to the residence and found Harrington outside the home.

Inside, investigators found Baratto in the living room with multiple stab wounds. A knife was reportedly found nearby, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Harrington had a cut on his arm and was receiving treatment from paramedics when he allegedly told them, “I killed my mom,” according to the arrest affidavit cited by Law&Crime and other outlets.

Investigators later interviewed Harrington, who allegedly admitted stabbing his mother and calling police afterward.

NO MOTIVE HAS BEEN DISCLOSED

Authorities have not publicly identified a motive for Baratto’s death.

According to the affidavit, Harrington told investigators that he had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder with bipolar features. Those details were reported as statements attributed to Harrington in the police investigation and do not establish a medical conclusion about the events surrounding his mother’s death.

Baratto was remembered on social media as a mother and grandmother who frequently shared family moments online.

Her death has left relatives and friends mourning the loss of a woman whose online posts showed her connection to her children and grandchild.

HARRINGTON REMAINS IN CUSTODY

Harrington has been charged with first-degree murder and remains in the Palm Beach County Jail without bond, according to reports.

Online court records cited by PEOPLE did not show plea information as of September 17. His next court appearance was reported as scheduled for November 5.

The case remains ongoing, and prosecutors have not publicly established a motive for the killing.

The contrast between Harrington’s online message about forgiveness and the allegations that emerged shortly afterward has become a central point of public attention surrounding the case, but investigators have not indicated that the social media post itself explains what happened inside the Delray Beach home.