A policeman just came to my door to tell me that my neighbor was murdered.
With the exception of food delivery guys, I don’t get visitors at this time of night. So when there was a knock at the door, I was surprised – surprised enough to go to the door and swing back the peephole cover. The man in a suit on the other side of the door heard the floorboards squeak.
“Police!”
I stood there in my pajamas mute and stupid with disbelief as he told me that my neighbor had been killed. Did I know her?
“I’m sorry – I don’t know many of my neighbors by name.”
But when he told me the apartment number, it was another story. My mouth went dry. She and I had been in the elevator together yesterday afternoon. The detective asked if I’d heard anything strange tonight.
“Yes. I did. Yelling and a dog going crazy. About an hour ago. I only know because I was making dinner and the stove is right by the window.”
He nodded. “That would have been the right time. That was their dog. Her boyfriend found her and called 911.”
When he had no more questions, the detective asked my name and jotted it down in his notepad. He lingered for a bit. I think he could tell I wasn’t exactly alright.
“You know, we’ll see. The boyfriend’s down at the precinct right now. Just keep your door locked, okay miss?”
I nodded and mumbled something about how horrifying this was and the look on his face told me he thought so too. I can’t help but wonder how gruesome things are in that apartment.
The courtyard below my window is a buzz of activity – people shouting back and forth to each other, thick flashlight beams bouncing off the bricks. There’s heavy footfall on the roof above my bed. I feel like I’m stuck in an episode of Law and Order and it’s chilling. The voices outside my door are now discussing basement access and, did Pete have a look at the incinerator?
I feel like throwing up.
wow. Stay safe Heather. I can’t imagine how scary that must be. My prayers are with you.
Speechless. Your friends are here for you.
hey babe – you want to sleep over? ‘Bama would be honored to protect your hair. Er… you, I mean you.
who is Pete?
hope your ok, thoughts with you
Pete is whoever the other voice was talking to.
I know, I know. English isn’t your first language.
my english is alright i’d say.
i guess “whoever” would work, but “whomever” would have been prettier in that sentence.
a fully armed ninja kitten squad has been sent over btw
Fish. I’m no one to tell you what to do in fact, you should probably ignore me but if I were you, I’d be on my way to Ari’s or Stephanies. After all, this is the second incident in a couple of months.
Stay safe Lady, Stay safe.
It seems as though everyone is up and surfing the blogroll this evening.Clareified lightened the sheer horror of your evening with some classic humor in her post, and Ari has offered a safe haven should you wish to relocate for the night.Tomorrow is the big day for you-right? Try to get some rest. Stay safe.
Glad to know you are safe, but how scary!
saying a little prayer for you, fish.
That’s awful. You be careful.
that is very disturbing. stay safe fishy.
wow, must be something about this week, i moved into a new apartment and found out my neighbour is a tad crazy and the cars get broken into all the time. what joy.
http://nydailynews.com/front/story/369731p-314532c.html
Oh god, you poor thing. Do whatever you need to do to feel safe. (I knew who Pete was!)
Hi Fish, I checked out the article in NY Times, and was a little nervous that they mentioned your street address. I’m thinking you might want to remove the link to the story, to protect your privacy a little. Don’t mean to be an alarmist, but you never know….
Fish, what a horrible thing to happen in your building. I have had a neighbor murdered, and stabbed. Both times was domestic violence. I have worked a lot of these cases in the work I do, and my money is on the boyfriend. Nonetheless, I would be spooked too. As for your neighbor, to me, since I am now so cynical about relationships, even the image of them walking the dog together is less “romantic” and more “controlling.”
Men like this rarely reveal themselves as such early on (even to themselves I think). Anyway, I should not try and convict the guy via your blog. I’m just hoping that you understand that the chances of some random killer in your building is exceptionally slim. A girl should always be careful though.
Take care Fish.
I live vicariously in NYC through your blog. Most of the time, I am slightly envious of your cool city life. Right now, I am really glad that I live in boring old Plano.
oh. my! that happened in YOUR building? i just clicked over to your blog (on bloglines) from reading the story of this murder on gothamist. you poor thing
somedays new york seems so safe and others it’s full of bad things. try to get your mind off it and watch a happy movie or a call a friend to come over. take the best of care fish.
Oh my God Mami!, That’s bizarre!, I just read something on the news this morning, about a woman that was found dead by her boyfriend… It’s probably the same person. Take care guapa, Keep that door lock at all times.
That’s chilling. God, that poor woman…
I’m seconding Diane’s advice: Pull the link to that article. No sense making things easier for the stalkers in internetland. And take care of yourself!
Wow. I’d send you my guard dog, but he’s far too old and friendly. just keep your doors locked and don’t go out alone. Now I feel lucky to live in a place where I sometimes don’t even lock my doors.
I am more lurker than commenter, but this deserved a few words. Like everyone else said, lock your doors, and keep an eye on the peephole. Stay safe, Fish. Thinking of you in Edmonton.
Advice free zone or not, I’d take Ari up on her offer. It’s going to be pretty crazy around your building while they investigate, so it probably will get better before it gets worse, just let the cops know where you are going to be.
Yuck! Take care of yourself! I hope someone can come stay with you, but at least you have Sir Hal on watch. Be safe!
I was horrified to find out it happened only a few blocks away from me…I can’t imagine it being in my own building. I’m almost hoping it’s the boyfriend, to be honest…that means there’s not some crazed killer intent on decapitating other innocent victims on the loose.
Aw, Fish. . . I’m so sorry. Similar things happened to me but it was house next to house not apartmant next to apartment. Do what you need to do to feel safe.
Poor you. That is a truly horrible thing to happen. Try to keep yourself warm and safe with friends.
Thinking of you…
How scary! Thoughts are with you.
i’ve just read the article. it seems so surreal. i know i dont KNOW u but we call come here to share your good times and bad. u take care fishy… we thisfish addicts need u!!
she is the daughter of the Ohio State marching band director. very sad here in columbus. stay safe…
Also more of a lurker than a commenter, but had to let you know that I’m thinking of you too! So scary.
Hey Fish…
Lurker here…
What happened is just terrible. Scary and terrible and sad. I’m sorry. I just want to add to what someone else said – maybe you want to take that link down that gives your address? It kind of worries me that it’s up there… people can be strange and brutal (as evidenced by this very post).. I’d feel better if people didn’t know exactly how to find you. I know you don’t even know me.. but as one of your readers, I care.
I hope you’re doing alright.
It’s all over the news. Posting a link to the article is the least of my problems if I’m concerned about a stalker.
Ack! That sounded rude. Thank you for your concern — I mean it. I just think that talking about the murder at all links me to all the news stories about it.
Could this be the same story in the Post?
Woops. Didn’t do that right.
Could this be the same story in the Post?
http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/58226.htm
oh god fish, i’m so sorry. that’s very scary and sad.
Yeah, that’s the same story. Woods I guess told her parents she was a dancer in this off-Broadway play called “Privilege” … in fact, it appears she worked at a strip club of the same name in Chelsea this summer.
p.s. – Daily News, Diane, Daily News! The Times just had a brief. We gave the intersection, but not the exact street address.
It’s made it to the news here in Cleveland Ohio. Very scary, so sorry fish.
Oh man, that is scary. I used to hear gunshots from my Brooklyn apartment all the time – city life can be violent.
Take all the safety precautions you can, girl! I don’t think getting a gun would be such a bad idea.
…and I’d like to add I’m not a “gun person.” I don’t own one and I’m not necessarily in favor of them. But under YOUR circumstances…
Jesus.. I work in the news.. We covered that as breaking news last night. Her throat was slashed and her boyfriend came home and found her dead. Be safe Fish. Although these often turn out to be domestic.. as in the boyfriend may be responsible.. Did he live with her, do you know them? Geez.. That’s terrifying.
How horrifying! Be extra careful.
!!! Take care, hon. How absolutely horrible.
Foxnews did a story on their noon broadcast. Showed your apartment entrance…the store fronts on either side…even a close-up of the intercom buttons. It was very weird to see that. So many people care about you, Heather, and are genuinely concerned. Wish I could throw a big, protective bubble over top of everything. Big armsful-o-love headed your way through the electrons…
Despite what the TV and the movies would have you believe, stranger killings are extremely rare. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but you’re just as safe now as you were two days ago.
Another way to look at it: yesterday 8,167,999 people made it through the day without killing or being killed.(Assuming that was the only murder of the day)
Chin up Fish, it’ll take a while but you’re going to be ok.
I hope you’re doing OK (or as well as you possibly can be). So sorry you have to go through this.
so sorry. stay safe!
prayers for you.
Fish, I agree with Coelecanth. Given the nature of the crime, it is most likely one of passion rather than some random lunatic. Nonetheless, perhaps given that you already have your hands full with the new job, you may want to lie low with some of your awesome friends and Sir H in a media frenzy free zone with some B&J…
That said, do whatever you need to do so that you may recoup your sense of safety and normalcy. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ok, clearly removing the link to the story isn’t going to keep you safe–silly suggestion. I’m happy to read the posts saying that random violence is so uncommon. Hopefully all of these readers who don’t usually comment (including me) brings you some comfort, Heather, and lets you know how many of us are thinking of you and sending you positive thoughts.
Please stay safe. So sorry you have to go through this. Her Dad was just on Greta..he thought his daughter held such promise !
Oh Fish…this year, my friend was stabbed to death by her boyfriend, very similar descriptions. Reading the article brought back all those feelings.I remember the feeling of the walls closing in on me. It’s helpless and horrifying..you are going to be fine…stay with a friend and keep your mind off of it….
prayers are with you. sigh*
Take down the posts you fool!!!! We all know where you live and that you are under the influence!! Are you nuts?
What a small world this is!. Second time on ivillage in two weeks and by happenstance or is it? I came across this blog. Keep safe! Things like this happen all over America, not just New York. A little more Pevalent here but…. New York New York! they love it so much they name it twice. Again sorry about your experience but thanks to your guidiing angel/s you are alright
Oh God that’s horrible. I know this really won’t make you feel any better, but the chances are it was someone she knew. Which means no one is coming for you. *hugs* and more *hugs*
If she had a computer, she probably had a blog. If so it would be interesting to see it.
OMG. I just came across this blog and I live in Columbus, Ohio where this girl is from. Her father is the director of Ohio State University’s marching band. The whole community is freaking out! What a small world!