A tragic murder-suicide rocked a quiet Long Island neighborhood on Sunday, leaving five people dead, including the suspected gunman. The motive behind the killings may be related to a will dispute over the sale of a recently deceased mother's home.
Theresa DeLucia, a 95-year-old mother of four, passed away last month, leaving behind a last will and testament that was drafted in 2007. The will apparently played a significant role in the events that unfolded on Sunday, leading to a deadly rampage that claimed the lives of Joseph DeLucia, 59, and four other family members.
Joseph DeLucia, the youngest son of Theresa, stood to inherit one-fourth of the value of his mother's home, which was estimated to be worth almost $900,000 according to Zillow. However, his mother's will included a provision that required any family member living in the home at the time of her death to vacate the premises to facilitate its sale. His oldest brother, Frank, was empowered to enforce this provision.
Grisly Murder-Suicide Rocks Quiet New York Neighborhood
Apparently fearing that he would become homeless, Joseph DeLucia allegedly massacred his three siblings and a niece in a murder-suicide. The victims included Joanne Kearns, 69, Frank DeLucia, 64, Tina Hammond, 64, and her daughter Victoria, 30.
Police responding to the scene found Joseph DeLucia dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound outside the home. They also recovered his 12-gauge shotgun. Inside, they found the bodies of the four other victims, all of whom had been shot multiple times.
Grisly Murder-Suicide Rocks Quiet New York Neighborhood
"In 41 years, it is probably one of the most horrific scenes I've ever seen," Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder told reporters. He said that there were warning signs that might have prevented the slayings if they had been reported to police.
Ryder revealed that there had been talk in the community about Joseph DeLucia's distress over having to leave his mother's home. He also mentioned that there were rumors of a "don't call the police" mentality in the neighborhood, which may have prevented potential witnesses from reporting suspicious activity.
Grisly Murder-Suicide Rocks Quiet New York Neighborhood
Family members had gathered at the DeLucia matriarch's home on Wyoming Court in Syosset on the morning of August 25, intending to meet with a real estate agent to discuss selling the property. The neighborhood is located about 30 miles east of New York City.
A neighbor called 911 just before noon, alerting police to gunshots fired and a man lying on the front lawn. Responding officers found Joseph DeLucia dead and recovered his shotgun. They then discovered the bodies of the other victims inside the home.
Grisly Murder-Suicide Rocks Quiet New York Neighborhood
Joseph DeLucia had a history of mental illness but no significant criminal record beyond a drunken driving arrest decades ago. However, authorities said that under New York's red flag law, police could have potentially confiscated his shotgun if they had received information about his mental health concerns.
Nassau Detective Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick said the killer believed he was being cut out of the will and would be thrown into the streets when his siblings sold the home. This perception apparently motivated him to commit the heinous act.
Grisly Murder-Suicide Rocks Quiet New York Neighborhood
Neighbors reported hearing DeLucia shouting on the front lawn before firing a final shot into his own chest. A haunting final post on a Facebook page under his name shows a New York license plate reading, "DEPRSSED."
"If anybody has somebody that they think has issues, they should be calling us," Fitzpatrick urged.
Local realtor Mary Macaluso, who was supposed to meet with the family, arrived at the scene to find the block cordoned off with police tape. This tragic event has shaken the once-quiet neighborhood, leaving behind a legacy of grief and unanswered questions.
