Drifter Killed Pace Student Because He "Wanted To"

Disturbing details have emerged about the 22-year-old man who confessed to killing Pace University student Kevin Pravia. Among his disclosures, Jeromie Cancel said he watched the horror movie "Saw" after smothering a sleeping Pravia.

Apparently Pravia met Cancel, who had offered to sell drugs to him, in Union Square early Saturday morning. They went back to Pravia's apartment on West 15th Street in Chelsea. Pravia's roommate discovered her friend's body on Sunday.

When Cancel was being questioned about a different incident (his father called the police, to complain his son had stolen his Playstation early Tuesday), apparently he confessed to killing Pravia. Per the Times, "When Mr. Pravia fell asleep, Mr. Cancel said that he punched him in the face, tied a television cord around his neck, put a plastic bag in his mouth and suffocated him with a pillow."

Cancel's father Jesus Soto told the Post, "He's mentally imbalanced. He seemed off-balance. He didn't seem right," and said, "I called the cops, and when they pulled up ... he just turned to the cops and told them he just killed someone." According to the Daily News, Soto told reporters his son had drifted between cities--including a stint at a mental institution--before coming back to Queens and staying with him. And when reporters outside a precinct house asked Cancel why he did it, he yelled, "Because I wanted to. You got a problem with that?"

Pravia's neighbor mourned the loss to NY1, “The kid was only 19 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him. It’s just a drag. Gotta be real tough for the family. They sent him away to college, to get this kind of news.”

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on September 3, 2008 10:13 AM

Comments [rss]

wineNroses

Okay, I work in mental health and I'm a friend of Kevin. While I see what schizophrenia does to a person when they are improperly medicated is horrific. But at the same time I am filled with rage and want nothing more than an eye for an eye.

Kevin was not all that clueless, but (although no one will forgive me for saying this)when intoxicated: he could be down right stupid.

I think the circumstances a horrible for the both of them, but still, I have no empathy for this man.

MOMOFTWO

You are all basing your opinions on the statements of the animal that killed Kevin. The only facts we all know for sure are this, Kevin got drunk and was put in a cab by his friends. Then he was murdered by a predator. There were no drugs found at his apartment and there was no signs of sex. We do not know that went to Union Square for sure. That is what Cancel claims. He may have been right there at the apt and saw the opportunity to rob a drunk kid.

MOMOFTWO

I agree with you da90027

da90027

Too bad it will probably take 10 years to execute this scum...after the taxpayers spend millions keeping him in jail. I don't even think Kevin wanted drugs, it sounds like he was too drunk to do anything but pass out in bed. It is a shame one of his friends didn't personally take him home. Back in 1980 when I was 19 I was in an underground parking garage here in Los Angeles. These two men started walking towards me from the entrance, I jumped in my car and almost ran them both down as I left, streets smarts are something not everyone has. This is a shame, but all these sick jokes I see here only make you as bad as Cancel. It shows a huge lack of compassion and sensitivity to make jokes about murder victims.

NannyState

Re-institutionalize these psychos. Community Mental Health is a joke.

Kojak

"Don't most dealers just come to you in NYC?"

For weed? I don't know, but theres a 24/7 snow delivery service in case you want to hit the slopes. Of course I wouldn't know anything about that.

This wouldn't of happened if he attended the school of hard knocks.

Shinobi Shaw

I feel sorry for the kid, but he seriously lacked street smarts and plain common sense.

People should know that that this is NY, not Suburbia USA. As I said a while back, this is ROME 2008! This isn't Olathe, Kansas!

There are mentally unstable people out there with personality disorders, that's just life.

JenChungsBaby

Yeah, hadn't this bumpkin ever heard of Craigslist? It's not perfect but when you're in a bind at least you won't be wandering around a park buying from whacked out strangers.

CR

Sorry, but isn't going someplace to find someone to buy drugs for pretty bush-league at this point? Don't most dealers just come to you in NYC?

babyhitler

I think the biggest lesson is: don't go to pace university. Bad education you will receive.

chris lee

anyway..don't wanna go too far with this. I feel really bad for that student's parents.

chris lee

I "bet" you have nice feet..oops :) pervs don't spell too good.

chris lee

TGIrl..don't give up on us just yet. You sound nice, I but you have nice feet...

The Man Bat

If things had gone just a little bit differently this Cancel kid would be in the NYPD knocking down innocent bicyclists in TImes Square.

chris lee

Jessie..call me at 718 555 3857..I live in my dad's basement in the Bronx, so if he answers just ask for me, he's an a**hole, I hate him, he drinks and he beats my pet rat...