National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

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Daisy Napoleoni tearfully talks about her loving son, Matthew

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Megan McDonald’s sister and brother-in-law, Karen and James Whalen have fond memories of their loved one

OWN OF WALLKILL – Four murder victims in the State Police Troop F territory were remembered in a somber ceremony on Sunday, the federally-designated National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.

On November 3, 2019, 23-year-old Matthew Napoleoni was shot and killed outside the Puerto Rico Latin Cuisine and Sports Bar in the Town of Wallkill.

“I have been very numb; I shut down,” said his mother Daisy, as she described her son’s “very big, loving heart” and how a moment doesn’t pass without her thinking of him.

Lidice and Leonora, close friends of Chelsea Debidin, remember their good times together

“I was with him that night, an hour before it happened. He hugged me that night and he was telling me, ‘Mom, I love you and I’ll be home tomorrow’,” she recounted, holding back tears. “I didn’t know tomorrow he was going to be in a body bag which is the last time I saw him.”

His killer was captured 14 months later.

Chelsea Debidin was a 21-year-old SUNY Orange student from Walden. She was with her boyfriend in his apartment in New Windsor when her two killers burst in looking for the former girlfriend of one of them and shot and killed, an innocent bystander.

Chelsea’s close friend, Leonora, said she was “a joy in life,” generous and kind.

“That really stems from her parents’ love of her and just making sure that basically, she got the best that she could, and that all stems also from upbringing of just loving each other unconditionally and always being with each other. And I have been blessed with experiencing that,” she said.

Her two killers were apprehended, tried and are now in state prison on the murder charge.

Megan McDonald’s family is still searching for answers. She was found murdered in a wooded area of the Town of Wallkill on March 19, 2003. Her killer or killers have never been found; however, her family believes the “coward” will be apprehended soon.

Megan’s sister, Karen Whalen, and her husband, James, joined in the commemoration and reflected on her 20 years on earth.

“She was warm and compassionate. Her smile lit up a room and people enjoyed being in her company,” said Karen. “Megan had a spirit that radiated warmed and friendship.”

The family of 15-year-old Joseph Martin of Kerhonkson, who was killed by two supposed friends in March 1996, was not at the ceremony; however, the killing of the teen was conveyed by State Police Captain Peter Cirigliano, who said Joseph had left home late at night to meet the two others to watch a comet.

They would beat him to death and bury his body.

The perpetrators were later arrested and prosecuted.




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