DuBois, left, Hoovler, discuss the indictment but don’t
answer many questions.
GOSHEN – An Orange County grand jury indicted Angelika Graswald
for second-degree murder and second degree manslaughter in the death of
her fiancé Vincent Viafore. Both were from Poughkeepsie.
District Attorney David Hoovler announced the indictment Tuesday.
The indictment alleges that Graswald removed a plug from Viafore’s kayak so that it would fill with water and tampered with his paddle. It is also alleged that she moved the paddle away from him as he was struggling to stay afloat with water temperatures in the 40 degree range, and failed to assist him including by making timely calls for help.
Hoovler, Sheriff Carl DuBois, and state police Captain Brendan Casey gave brief details, but declined to answer many media questions regarding specifics of the case, citing the ongoing investigation.
The DA said he opted for the two charges, murder and manslaughter, to keep options open.
Hoovler would not say whether there could be any other suspects in the case, since the apparent motive is insurance.
Viafore and Graswald
“We also believe that there are people out there that may know more about this crime,” Hoovler said. “We are looking for any information regarding this crime, people that may have seen the deceased and defendant prior to them going out on April 19th or know circumstances regarding their relationship.”
Anyone with information should contact the DA’s office.
The investigation is ongoing and for that reason, Viafore’s body, which was recovered from the Hudson River off Cornwall on Saturday, has not been released to his family.
Graswald remains in the Orange County Jail in lieu of $3 million cash bail or $9 million bond.
