British tourist stabbed to death by New York woman 'to rid her home of evil'
A British woman has been stabbed to death while visiting a New York woman she had just met, who pounced on her in the living room and claimed she had to “rid her home of evil”.
Faye Doomchin, 66, from the town of Great Neck on Long Island, met the 60-year-old British woman on Monday.
The two women had lunch with a male mutual friend, and the trio then went back to Doomchin’s house for coffee and cake, and to hear the man play the piano.
“While they were sitting in the living room, they were talking and Doomchin made statements that she did not like the woman from England,” said Detective Lieutenant Stephen Fitzpatrick, of Nassau County police.
At around 3:50pm, Doomchin, the detective said, “claimed she needed to rid the house of evil.”
“She then appeared from the kitchen with a kitchen knife, walked right over to her and stabbed her in the chest.”
The British woman, whose identity was not released, was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
We’re still looking to find out what may have precipitated this as the investigation continues.
Detective Lieutenant Stephen Fitzpatrick, Nassau County police
“There was no premeditation to that. There were no incidents prior to that,” said Mr Fitzpatrick.
“We’re still looking to find out what may have precipitated this as the investigation continues.”
Police say that the man, from the New York borough of Queens, introduced the victim – who was visiting New York on holiday — and Doomchin to each other the day of the murder.
“They never met before. They just met that day, had lunch and this incident happened,” said Mr Fitzpatrick.
He said that the British woman had known the man for 12 years. Doomchin and the man were friends who last saw each other eight months ago.
“They were friends, they socialised,” said Mr Fitzpatrick. “He played musical instruments and came over to play for everybody.”
Doomchin’s neighbours expressed shock at the murder, saying they never saw anything of concern.
"She's such a loving mother,” said Negar Paknoush, speaking to her local TV station. “So kind."
Doomchin has one prior arrest on her record for second-degree assault in 1999 in which a weapon was used.
She has now been charged with second degree murder and is being held without bail after being arraigned. Her lawyer, Robert Gottlieb, tells Newsday his client suffers from mental illness.
