Police: Yonkers fire was an attempt to cover up murder

Yonkers police now say a 78-year-old woman was strangled and her apartment was set on fire in an attempt to cover up the crime.Neighbors tried in vain to save Louise Paciarello after her apartment in

News 12 Staff

Aug 24, 2007, 4:56 PM

Updated 6,101 days ago

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Police: Yonkers fire was an attempt to cover up murder
Yonkers police now say a 78-year-old woman was strangled and her apartment was set on fire in an attempt to cover up the crime.Neighbors tried in vain to save Louise Paciarello after her apartment in the senior complex went on fire Wednesday, but the heavy smoke was too thick. Paciarello?s neighbor, Walter Astapczyk, thinks whoever killed his friend must have known her.
Astapczyk says a threatening note was left on Paciarello?s apartment last month. He says the note read, ?I was there at 4 a.m., while you were sleeping. But I'll be back.? Astapczyk says his friend was very frightened. He also says someone tried to get into her apartment at 2 a.m. two weeks ago.Yonkers police are not saying if they have any suspects or if anything was taken from the apartment. They are combing the scene for evidence.
Related Information Cops: Yonkers fire did not cause elderly woman's death Fire at Yonkers senior complex claims tenant's life


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