Louise Paciarello

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Yonkers City Police Department (NY)

Offense Location:

Yonkers, NY

Summary:

Louise Paciarello, a 78-year-old woman, was found dead in her senior citizen complex. Police originally arrived due to a fire call. Paciarello was found and transported to the hospital where she was later pronounced deceased. Medical examiner said her cause of death was strangulation and not due to the fire, and police found two points of origin, indicating that the fire was deliberately set to cover up the homicide.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Offense:

On August 22, 2007, at 1800 hours the Yonkers Police Department responded to 45 Seymour Street: Apartment 1E on a report of a fire. Upon arrival at 45 Seymour Street, which is a senior citizen complex, the Fire Department found the occupant of the apartment, who was later identified as 78-year-old Louise Paciarello, in what appeared to be a lifeless condition. Ms. Paciarello was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital where she was pronounced. Ms. Paciarello was transported to the Westchester Medical Examiner's Office where it was determined that Ms. Paciarello's death was not due to the fire but that her death was the result of a homicide and the fire was deliberately set to cover up the homicide. Ms. Paciarello was a 78-year-old retired nurse's aide who lived by herself and kept to herself. Disturbing note was found a month before her death. Paciarello allegedly showed her sister-in-law, who also lives in the complex, and fellow residents the message scrawled on a napkin that read, “I was here at 4 a.m. while you were sleeping, and I’ll be back,” according to a neighbor. Her neighbor, Walter Astapczyk, also told police that Paciarello was very frightened. He also says someone tried to get into her apartment at 2 a.m. two weeks before her death. She also told neighbors that she thought she had heard someone trying to open her door at night on multiple occasions, Astapczyk reported this information to the complex, and they replaced her locks. During the investigation, it was found that Paciarello's purse was missing and that there was no money in the freezer (neighbors claimed that's where she kept her money). Police suspect it was someone she knew.

Additional Details:

The Yonkers Police Cold Case Unit is asking if there is anyone with any information in regards to this case that they should contact the Cold Case Unit at 914-377-7731.

Case Last Updated:

Dec 04, 2025