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East Northport man indicted for murder of grandmother's fiancé, new details released

Prosecutors say Noel Bermudez-Chin poured a mixture of boiling water and oil on Joseph Falva's chest while he slept on the couch. He then stabbed him repeatedly to death.

Karina Kovac

Apr 16, 2026, 8:14 PM

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An 18-year-old East Northport man was indicted Thursday on a charge of murder in the death of his grandmother’s fiancé, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney.

Prosecutors say Noel Bermudez-Chin poured a mixture of boiling water and oil on Joseph Falva's chest while he slept on the couch. He then stabbed him repeatedly to death.

It happened inside the 61-year-old victim's trailer on Catherine Street on March 29.

According to police, Bermudez-Chin called 911 while leaving the scene.

When officers arrived, Falva was found unresponsive, suffering from numerous stab wounds to his back, head, neck, and stomach.

Bermudez-Chin was taken into custody a short time later.

Police reported that he had apparent blood on his hands and clothing at the time of his arrest. Investigators also recovered a bloodied knife and a pot containing oil residue from inside the trailer.

During the investigation, authorities learned that Falva, Bermudez-Chin, and Bermudez-Chin’s grandmother had been living together in the trailer after a fire damaged their home in December.

“There is no place in Suffolk County for such deliberate, premeditated violence,” said Tierney.

If convicted, Bermudez-Chin faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years to life in prison.

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