New York State Police, on Wednesday, arrested Angelika Graswald and charged her with the second degree murder of fiance Vincent Viafore. Viafore has been missing since April 19, when his kayak capsized due to choppy waters on the Hudson River.
At approximately 7:40 p.m., Graswald, 35, of Poughkeepsie, contacted Orange County 911 and reported she and Viafore, also of Poughkeepsie, were kayaking between Plum Point and Bannerman’s Island when Viafore was thrown into the water. Graswald tried to pull her fiance into her vessel, but in the process also toppled into the river. It was reported Viafore was not wearing a life preserver.
During a press conference earlier this afternoon, Major Patrick Regan, Troop F Commander, said Graswald was arrested because of inconsistencies in her story over the last 11 days since the incident. Regan would not go into further detail about those inconsistencies or about the ongoing investigation.
Viafore’s body has not been recovered and while he is presumed to be deceased, the search continues. Regan said New York State Police are seeking assistance of the boaters, hikers, and fisherman, on both sides of the Hudson, in locating Viafore’s body and preserving the discovery area for any possible forensic evidence that might exist. If the body is located in the water, the police are asking to be contacted immediately so forensic investigators can respond.
Anyone with information is asked to call Senior Investigator Aniello Moscato, or any NYSP member, at 845-457-1388, or e-mail Aniello.Moscato@troopers.ny.gov or Ftips@troopers.ny.gov.
Graswald was arraigned in the Town of New Windsor Court before Judge Richard Thorpe and remanded to Orange County Jail without bail. Graswald is excepted to appear in New Windsor Court again on Tuesday.
