Authorities have arrested a man in the murder of Orsolya Gaal, a 51-year-old wife and mother who was viciously stabbed to death in New York City. Police said Thursday morning that David Bonola, 44, had been charged with murder, criminal tampering, and criminal possession of a weapon.
According to police sources, investigators believe it was a “crime of passion” committed by Bonola, Gaal’s boyfriend.
A press conference is scheduled for later in the morning on Thursday.
On Saturday, officers responded to a 911 call and discovered Gaal’s body in a duffel bag, as well as a “blood trail” that led to her Queens home.
Gabe Veras, manager of the Forest Hills Station House eatery in Queens, told CBS New York that surveillance video showed Gaal at the restaurant on Friday night, and staff members saw her there.
“Orsolya was here on Friday around 11:45 to 12:30. She came in alone she left alone. She had her usual — a Moscow mule,” Veras said.
Gaal was a regular, he said, and he often came alone. Veras claims to have spoken with her on Tuesday.
She had come back from a concert, seeing her favorite composer,” Veras explained. “She was delighted at that. She was elated that she saw this composer live. She was very into the arts and music.”
Friday night, she went to the show at Lincoln Center with female friends. She returned to Queens, went to a local bar, and then went back to her Juno Street residence.
Her body was discovered in a duffel bag a few blocks away the next morning. Gaal had been stabbed more than 50 times, according to CBS New York.
Her husband and 17-year-old son, according to police, were out of town at the time of the incident. Her 13-year-old son was detained and questioned in connection with the case but later released.
