The man was taken into custody on Sunday afternoon in Kearny, N.J., hours after a fire broke out in the building in which he was hiding. Source: New York Times
Posts published in “Murders, Attempted Murders and Homicides”
At a Dark Moment, Jews in New York Celebrate the Festival of Lights
By Gotham Rex on December 15, 2025
After the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, Jewish New Yorkers said they felt the need to stand up for their community. Source: New York Times
A Mysterious Fire, a Helpful Neighbor and a Murder Charge
By Gotham Rex on December 10, 2025
Virginia Cranwell, 82, died in a fire in her New Jersey home this summer. Her neighbor, who claimed he had tried to save her, now faces murder and arson charges. Source: New York Times
Man Admits to Strangling Pregnant Woman in 1996, Settling Cold Case
By Gotham Rex on December 10, 2025
Gregory Fleetwood, 69, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Wednesday in the killing of 36-year-old Jasmine Porter. He is expected to be sentenced to 12 years in prison. Source: New York Times
Cold Case Inquiries Stall After Ancestry.com Revisits Policy for Users
By Gotham Rex on December 7, 2025
The genealogy site’s clarification of its terms and conditions has barred those working on unsolved crimes from access to the company’s vast trove of records. Source: New York Times
Florida Man Charged in Murder of Woman Found Near Gilgo Beach
By Gotham Rex on December 6, 2025
The woman’s body was found near her 2-year-old’s, and the man who was charged was the child’s father, the authorities said. The case did not appear to be linked to the Long Island serial killings. Source: New York Times
A Sidewalk Encounter Between 2 Longtime Neighbors Ends in a Death
By Gotham Rex on December 2, 2025
Dean Whetzel, 82, had known Dana Escoffier, 79, for decades. When Mr. Whetzel bumped into him near their Village apartments, Mr. Escoffier shoved him, the police said, and he fell to the ground. Source: New York Times
Prosecutors Drop Murder Case Against Man Who Served More Than 25 Years
By Gotham Rex on December 2, 2025
James Pugh, one of two men originally convicted in the savage killing of Deborah Meindl near Buffalo in 1993, said all along that he was innocent. Source: New York Times
At Mangione’s Hearing, Giddy Fans Whisper and Prison Guards Testify
By Gotham Rex on December 1, 2025
Lawyers for Luigi Mangione, accused of killing a health insurance executive in Manhattan, are asking a judge to throw out materials gathered when he was arrested in Pennsylvania. Source: New York Times
Prosecutors Prepare to Try Suspect in Etan Patz Case for the Third Time
By Gotham Rex on November 25, 2025
The defendant, Pedro Hernandez, was convicted in 2017 of kidnapping the 6-year-old, who disappeared in 1979 in SoHo. Source: New York Times
U.S. Defends Decision to Seek Death Penalty for Luigi Mangione
By Gotham Rex on November 22, 2025
Prosecutors argue that Mr. Mangione can receive a fair trial, despite his lawyers’ concerns about “damaging” statements from the attorney general about the murder case. Source: New York Times
Boy, 10, and Woman, 21, Are Killed in Newark Shooting
By Gotham Rex on November 16, 2025
Three other people, including an 11-year-old boy, were wounded in the shooting on Saturday night, city officials said. It was unclear whether the police had made any arrests. Source: New York Times
15-Year-Old Is Fatally Stabbed at Long Island House Party, Police Say
By Gotham Rex on November 5, 2025
Liam Delemo, of West Babylon, was stabbed when a fight broke out at a party attended by dozens of teenagers near his home, the authorities said. Source: New York Times
One of 3 Prison Guards Is Convicted in Fatal Beating Caught on Video
By Gotham Rex on October 20, 2025
Footage of guards punching, choking and stomping Robert L. Brooks ignited an outcry. One was found guilty of murder on Monday. For two others, the gamble of going to trial paid off with acquittals. Source: New York Times
Nassau Police Charge Man With Raping and Killing Teenager in 1984
By Gotham Rex on October 15, 2025
Theresa Fusco was left in the woods near the roller rink where she had worked. “I loved her and I miss her,” her father said. “She lives in my heart.” Source: New York Times