Berkeley man with severe developmental disability charged with killing 90-year-old mother by knocking her down

BERKELEY — A man with severe autism has been charged with killing his 90-year-old mother, who died in a hospital after suffering a broken leg when her son allegedly knocked her down with a shove, according to court records.

Michael Starosky, 70, was charged with involuntary manslaughter, battery with great bodily injury, and elder abuse causing death, records show. He was jailed for several days, but then a judge approved his release to a health care center with a family member acting as a conservator, according to court records.

The victim, Rachel Star, 90, was Starosky’s co-conservator at the time of her death. Authorities say that on Oct. 8, Starosky shoved his mother, who required a walker, causing her to fall and break her femur. She died while awaiting surgery at a hospital, prompting Starosky’s arrest, court records show.

The incident occurred at Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley. Star reportedly told police that she fell because the floors were slippery, denied that Starosky had pushed her, and said that her son had attempted to catch her when she fell. She didn’t desire prosecution and asked that he not be arrested. Police placed Starosky on a mental health hold and later booked him into jail, after Star’s death, according to court records.

Starosky told police that he had shoved his mother and expressed a desire to “hurt himself and other people,” police said in court records. Another family member told investigators that Starosky has had “violent” episodes before, authorities said.

A bail report filed by Starosky’s lawyer says that Starosky has the cognitive ability of a 5-year-old and has a pacemaker, among other serious health issues.

“Neither his sister or cousin want Michael in jail and believe he should be in a stable home environment where his physical and mental health needs can be monitored and addressed,” the defense motion says. “Due to his cognitive delays, and physical and mental health issues, they believe jail is not a safe environment.”

Starosky is next due in court on Dec. 13 to enter a plea.