October 21, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This week, I announced a guilty plea by a defendant for the 1976 killing of an 81-year-old World War I Veteran.

The victim's remains were originally discovered in March 12, 2019, prompting a full investigation to determine a DNA profile. In 2020, the Cold Case Unit that I created when I became the Queens District Attorney worked diligently with our law enforcement partners to help generate leads to the then unknown victim’s identity.

In February 2021, a private laboratory used advanced DNA testing to produce a comprehensive genealogical profile from the skeletal remains. This long-cold case marks the first successful application in New York City of forensic genetic genealogy. 

For more than 46 years, this defendant eluded arrest for this gruesome murder but my Office is relentless in our efforts to hold individuals accountable for their actions.

No matter how much time has passed, we will use every tool at our disposal to achieve justice and to provide a measure of closure to the victim's loved ones.

We continue to work every day to investigate this borough’s oldest and most challenging unsolved homicide cases. Please take a moment to visit our Cold Case page for a list of our current cold cases. You can help us achieve justice by reporting any information to NYPD Crimestoppers. Remember that all tips are confidential and can be submitted anonymously.
In Friendship,

Melinda Katz
Queens District Attorney
Select Cases of Interest
  • Queens man charged with manslaughter in subway death at Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave train station
  • Alleged drug dealer indicted for selling deadly narcotics in Southeast Queens
  • Defendant indicted on attempted murder charges for shooting correction officer in Jamaica
Domestic Violence Workshop
In commemoration of October as Domestic Violence awareness month, I partnered with State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar to host a public workshop on resources available to victims for residents of Ozone Park.

I'd like to express my gratitude to our partner, the Queens Family Justice Center, for speaking to the attendees on avenues of support provided to anyone who is experiencing domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Webinar
If you missed our local workshop, join our upcoming virtual panel for an informative discussion focused on addressing the issue of domestic violence in our communities.

We will be joined by our service providers from the Mayor's Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, Safe Horizon, Sanctuary for Families, and New Destiny Housing.

To RSVP, click here.
Greater NY Auto Dealers Association
It was a pleasure joining members of the Greater NY Auto Dealers Association for a discussion on public safety.

Auto-crime creates a lasting impact on the victims and negatively impacts the economy of our Borough. Whether it is the theft of cars and car parts from the streets of Queens, the use of stolen identities to obtain cars from Queens dealerships, or car scams which deprive Queens’ residents of their hard-earned money, my office is committed to holding accountable those individuals who undermine our sense of safety.

The Auto Crime Unit in my Office combats such activity at every level by using a variety of innovative legal and investigative techniques. For more information, call 718.286.6673 or email MajorEcoCrime@queensda.org.
Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center
Public education is a key focus of my administration as we continue to inform individuals, especially our senior citizens, of trending fraudulent activity. This week, I took the opportunity to visit the Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center to discuss the serious topic of scams targeting older adults.

Anybody can fall victim to a scam but there are steps each of us can take to protect ourselves, including never sending money to an unknown entity and always taking the time to verify information provided with a trusted person.
Clergy Breakfast
Congressman Gregory Meeks recently hosted a Congressional Clergy Informational Breakfast to discuss the ongoing partnership between our offices to resolve community related issues throughout Southeast Queens.

Faith-based leaders are vital partners in our joint effort to empower our communities, uplift the younger generation and ensure stability and safety within our neighborhoods. We will continue to all work together to achieve a safer and more just Borough.