Police in New York are searching for a blond-haired middle-aged man suspected of murdering psychologist Kathryn Faughey, 56, inside an East 79th Street office building Tuesday night, February 12.
According to police, the suspect—dressed in a green coat, knit cap and gloves—entered the building shortly after 8 p.m., carrying a suitcase and a smaller second bag. He approached the doorman, said he had an appointment with Dr. Kent Shinbach, 70—a psychiatrist on the same floor as the victim—and then went into the waiting room for Suite 1C.
What happened next is not entirely clear; however, at some point, the suspect entered Faughey's office and attacked her with a meat cleaver and a 9-inch knife. Faughey's screams alerted Shinbach, who ran to her aide, only to be confronted by her deranged attacker, who said, "She's dead," before turning his rage towards Shinbach, slashing at him multiple times before stealing $90 and exiting the office.
The suspect then confronted a female patient in the waiting room and attempted to force her into Faughey's office, but she resisted and kneed him in the groin. The suspect then gave up the struggle and fled down the hall.
Police were called to the scene at approximately 9 p.m.; however, upon their arrival, the suspect was nowhere to be found. When police entered Faughey's office, they found her lying in a pool of blood by the front of her desk.
"The condition of the room was that of a fierce struggle," police spokesperson Paul Browne told The Associated Press.
Unfortunately, Faughey's injuries proved fatal, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The meat cleaver and 9-inch knife were found at the scene, along with a third knife near Faughey's feet. Police also found a baseball that the killer is believed to have left behind.
Shinbach was transported from the scene to New York Presbyterian Hospital, where his condition is listed as serious but stable.
Surveillance footage from cameras inside the building show the suspect leaving his bags next to a basement door before exiting the building. When police inspected the bags, they found several bizarre items. One was filled with adult diapers and women's clothing, while the other contained a length of rope, duct tape, and eight knifes.
According to Faughey's Web site, she was a licensed psychologist who practiced cognitive behavioral and solution-oriented psychotherapy.
The bio on her Web site reads, "I have been practicing cognitive behavior psychotherapy in the same locale, the Upper East Side of New York, for over 19 years . . . . Relationships, happiness, and health are a focus of my work. Depression and anxiety are commonly presented. Other common themes are life changes, eating disorders, loneliness, and losses. Managing relationship problems with the Internet is also a major focus."
According to Newsday.com, police theorize that a personal vendetta triggered the killing. They speculate the killer was either a patient or a relative of a patient.
The suspect is described as a white blond-haired middle-aged man with a bald spot on the back of his head, between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10, with a stocky build. Anyone with information in this case is asked to call 800-577-TIPS.