A 76-year-old Baltimore woman died after she and her husband were attacked and robbed shortly after leaving breakfast in the city’s Fells Point neighborhood, turning what had been a routine morning into a fatal encounter.
Claudia Bismark and her 60-year-old husband, Wade Wilson, had been at Broadway Market on the morning of Sept. 29. Police said the couple was attacked around 9:34 a.m. in the 1700 block of Fleet Street.
Investigators said the attacker knocked both victims to the ground and took Wilson’s wallet before running toward South Regester Street. Both were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Wilson suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening, while Bismark remained seriously injured.
Bismark died from her injuries on Oct. 1, according to Baltimore police. The case was subsequently treated as a homicide investigation.
Police Arrest Suspect
Detectives arrested 32-year-old Montray McCray on Oct. 1 in the unit block of South Carrollton Avenue. He was initially charged with assault, robbery and reckless endangerment, with upgraded homicide-related charges following Bismark’s death.
New details from charging documents indicate investigators believe McCray followed the couple after they left Broadway Market. Surveillance footage also captured the attack as the couple walked along Fleet Street.
The footage shows the couple walking together before a man approached from behind and pushed them to the ground. Bismark appeared to try to get back up before she was struck again, while the suspect took Wilson’s wallet and fled.
The investigation and criminal case remain active, and allegations against McCray have not been proven in court.
Friends Remember Bismark
While police worked to investigate the attack, friends and neighbors gathered in Fells Point to remember Bismark and support her husband.
People who knew the couple described them as longtime members of the neighborhood who had strong ties to Baltimore’s arts and community life. A candlelight vigil was held on Fleet Street after news of Bismark’s death spread.
Bismark was also known for her work in Baltimore’s arts community. She was involved with the city’s Artscape festival and had worked with the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Art and Culture. She was also a grant writer and maintained connections with local cultural institutions.
Her connection to the local art scene continued into 2026. She was listed as one of the participating artists in the Gallery 1448 exhibition “FOODSCAPE: Last Licks,” which ran in Baltimore during July and August.
For those who knew her, however, Bismark’s legacy extended beyond her professional work. Friends remembered her as generous, funny and deeply connected to the people around her.
The deadly attack has left the Fells Point community mourning while investigators continue working through the case and the legal proceedings against the accused.
