A 53-year-old man from Queens has been arrested and charged with murdering his 46-year-old estranged wife in her Herricks, New York home after authorities say he administered a “cyanide-like” chemical. The fatal incident occurred on October 17, when the woman, a certified public accountant and mother of three, returned home from dropping off their youngest child and was later found dead by police after a welfare check by her daughter.
Investigators report the suspect had been served divorce papers days earlier and had shown up at her home repeatedly. During the attack, the victim suffered facial burns and asphyxiation, according to the medical examiner’s findings. The husband, who was arrested later that day at his Queens residence, also has a recorded prior domestic-violence arrest and the couple had five prior police responses to their home.
The man is being held without bail and faces second-degree murder charges, with prosecutors seeking an upgrade to first-degree. Their children, aged 18, 14 and 7, are reportedly staying with relatives while the case proceeds.