‘Tragic loss.’ Somers shocked by murder-suicide involving renowned oncologist and her baby
Dr. Krystal Cascetta worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, whose website described her as a leader in the fields of hematology and medical oncology.
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Mount Sinai Hospital and Somers Town Supervisor Robert Scorrano have released statements regarding the murder-suicide involving renowned oncologist Dr. Krystal Cascetta and her baby.
The 40-year-old worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, whose website described her as a leader in the fields of hematology and medical oncology. She was also a graduate from the Albany Medical College where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society.
Cascetta shot her 4-month-old baby inside her home on 54 Granite Rd. and then turned the gun on herself at around 7 a.m. on Aug. 5, according to the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
State police told News 12 that her parents were home at the time of the shooting. She lived at the home with her husband, a business man.
In the aftermath of the deaths, Mount Sinai Hospital released the following statement:
"The Mount Sinai community is greatly saddened by the tragic loss of a Mount Sinai Health System doctor and her child. We extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. Cascetta's family, friends, colleagues, and patients."
Town Supervisor Robert Scorrano posted a message on his Facebook page stating, “I ask our Somers residents to please allow those directly impacted by this tragic event the time to grieve. We are Somers and will find a way to support one another and heal from this tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family."
The murder-suicide came as a shock to many in the community.
"This is shocking. I don't understand. Beautiful young woman, very young, very petite. Her husband was a very nice guy. He fussed over her,” said Hadaluz Carballo, Cascetta’s next door neighbor.
"It's devastating that someone would do that to their own child and themselves,” said another neighbor. "I can't imagine what she was going through to bring her to such a place. Depression is horrible and affects everyone differently.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.
The CDC says in 2021 alone, 48,183 people died from suicide in the United States -- that's one death every 11 minutes.
Mental health experts say there are many reasons for the increase, and that signs that someone is battling with depression or thoughts of suicide may be hard to recognize or understand.
"Oftentimes, loved ones in particular, when they start to notice changes in family and friends who are suffering, the concern is sometimes there, but they don't know how to approach their loved one if they see them starting to downward spiral. If there's a change in their mood or disposition, they might not know how to approach them," said licensed psychotherapist Veronica Vaiti.
She suggests using a gentle, non-judgmental approach in offering help to someone who is struggling.
If you or someone you know is dealing with depression or thoughts of suicide, you are urged to call the National Suicide Hotline at 988.
