A Brooklyn man allegedly strangled and killed his girlfriend during an argument in their Sunset Park apartment, while their 7-year-old daughter and other relatives were sleeping. Daniel Elias fled the apartment and told his aunt to have someone check on girlfriend Cynthia Lopez. Elias's sister, who was in the apartment, ended up finding the 29-year-old woman "lying face up in her bed, unconscious." more ›

Up until November 2010, if there was no obvious visible physical evidence of strangulation, prosecutors were forced to lower charges against the perpetrator to a non-criminal count of harassment. But NY State has improved its choking laws since then, adding a criminal count of obstruction of breathing or blood circulation to the law, which can be proven with other courtroom tools, including witness testimony. And since the new law has been implemented, over 2,000 people have been arrested under it. more ›

The death of fashion designer Sylvie Cachay has officially been classified as a homicide by the medical examiner's office. Cachay's body was found in a bathtub in a hotel room at the Soho House earlier this month. The ME's office says that the 33-year-old was held underwater and strangled. more ›

The man who strangled the daughter of two NYU professors pleaded guilty to manslaughter yesterday in exchange for a 25 year prison sentence. Michael Cordero apologized, "I just want to let the family know I'm really sorry... I know this is nothing to them, but I'm really sorry. If I could take it back, I would," —and also added, "I'll never do it again." more ›

Long Island police today arrested a man in connection with the strangulation death of a Queens mother who had been missing since last month. Hairdresser Jamaica Smith, 36, who moved from Memphis in June, went missing the day before Thanksgiving after dropping off her daughter at P.S. 156. When she didn't show to pick her up, family members contacted police, and soon suspected "foul play," according to WABC 7. Her body was found by a meter reader outside an empty home in Uniondale yesterday and Marvon Jemmott, 35, was charged with second-degree murder. Apparently Jemmott was the father of Smith's daughter; NY1 is reporting that family members "believe Jemmott killed her over child support." more ›

Jessica Tush was last seen alive Wednesday at the Staten Island Mall where she works. New Jersey police officials are now confirming that the body of a young woman found in a shallow grave by hikers in the Garden State's Pine Barrens was that of the missing teenager. An initial medical examination indicates that Tush was likely strangled to death. It was originally suspected that Jessica was abducted by force from the mall, but sources told the Staten Island Advance that it now looks like she left the mall with someone she knew. more ›

The construction worker who killed Adrienne Shelly in her West Village office pleaded guilty to manslaughter - and gave new details about why he killed the actress-director. Diego Pillco will receive 25 years in prison; as an illegal immigrant from Ecuador, the Post says his sentence will be "almost certainly followed by deportation." more ›