February 13, 2008
Upper East Side Psychologist Murdered; Patient Suspected
A psychologist was slashed to death in her office building at 79th Street and York last night. Another therapist was seriously injured; the suspect is still at large.
Police believe that Dr. Kathryn Faughey was killed by a patient during a 9PM session. Dr. Kent Shinback, a colleague in the same practice, ran into Faughey's office when he heard her screaming and tried to stop the patient, but he was, per the Daily News, "slashed numerous times in the face and neck." The suspect, described as a white middle-aged male with blond/light hair, fled, possibly through the basement.
Two weapons were found, a meat cleaver and a 9-inch knife, both bent from the force of the attacks. A doorman told the Post he saw the suspect go into the building but not out, "He looked like a psycho." And a police source told the News the attack was very vicious: "Lots of anger. This was clearly personal."
Faughey, who lived across the street, had a website where she described her style as "cognitive behavioral - tailored to fit the individual. My specialty is pinpointing the issues; developing techniques to resolve them." She even recognized issues about "online intimacy," like "monitoring the ex" through "IM, myspace, facebook, blogs, etc."
Shinbach is in serious but stable condition at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell. Their office manager Darlene Yeats said, "[Faughey]'s a wonderful, loving person who didn't deserve this. She was so close with all of us. I'm shocked and devastated. I'm at a loss for words."
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Very disturbing.
It makes sense that psychiatry (and psychology) are dangerous fields, but this case is particularly gruesome.
I hope this doesn't result in doctors requiring metal detectors to enter their offices.
Faughey, a Ph.D. and graduate of Yeshiva University who lived with her husband across the street from her office, specialized in relationship issues, coping with stress and changing life conditions.
Using a meat cleaver on one's shrink might be an unorthodox but effective means of coping with stress.
If you're going to make a joke about a gruesome murder at least try to make it funny.
Weird, it's like the Sixth Sense.
I could never understand why anyone would choose to see a "psychologist" over a real doctor like a "psychiatrist"?
umm...maybe it would be helpful for the police to provide some information about the individual who committed this crime, who by the way, is NOT IN CUSTODY.
psychologist and psychiatrist are basically the same except a psychiatrist can prescribe meds.
And a psychologist has the privilege of being mistakenly called a doctor even though he/she might have gone through only three years of night school for a PhD.
i blame tom cruise!
she should of done the right thing and recommended a real psychiatrist to prescribe meds and to see her for additional help. that's if this guy was really a "psycho" as the doorman proclaimed.
wow, that's really awful. from her website, she seemed like she was really great. She even treated Online/IM issues! I've never heard of that.
I had the PRIVILEDGE of being Dr. Faughey's patient for 15 years. I saw her infrequently now as I was often busy with family but when I needed her - she was there for me.
She treated people with disability issues (coping), infertility issues, relationships (verbal/emotional abuse) and those involved in online relationships (cyberpaths). She didn't treat psychopaths. Her office was like MILLIONS of therapy offices in NYC.
She was meticulous, professional, caring and empathetic. A true gem - the kind of therapist you want for yourself & your friends. I don't know where I would be today without her.
My prayers & thoughts are with her husband. Losing someone this special is shocking to me as her patient so I can only imagine how devastating it is to her husband.
God Bless You, Dr. Faughey for saving my life & my sanity for me more times than I can count!
Wow, there are some rude people commenting on this post.
Firstly, even though you can get ANY (not just a psychology) degree online, it doesn’t mean any reputable companies will employ you. A real PhD goes to college for at least 8 years and works very hard to obtain their degree (which is higher than a Masters, which is as high as most people go, including many medical doctors and teachers).
Psychologists do not MISTAKENLY get called “Doctor” – it’s the proper way to refer to them and pay them respect for what they have accomplished.
But I digress – the point is that a human being was horrifically murdered in a way you probably can’t even imagine. Those of you joking about this or criticizing her title are, at best, amazingly immature, if not plain evil. This is a tragedy and I’m truly appalled that anyone can make such remarks after reading this story. Achievements aside – an innocent person died in a terrible manner and joking about it is at the very least inappropriate. Do us a favor and grow up.
As for Dr. Faughey, my thoughts go out to her family. It breaks my heart to read about loss of life in such a manner – rest in peace.
I hope they catch her killer. In regards to what he did to her…well…let’s just say it’s times like these that I root for the vigilantes. The death penalty is too good for scum like him.
I'm thinking maybe the murderer is her patient's significant other. She may have encouraged a patient to leave an abusive relationship. He found out and sought revenge. I just can't comprehend why a patient would kill their CBT. Therapy helps you feel good about yourself. Why would you want to kill someone who helps increase your self esteem. It just doesn't make sense to me.