John Muraco Obituary, Death – A quiet neighborhood in Howard Beach, Queens, was shaken late Saturday night after a man was fatally stabbed inside his own home. Authorities have since identified the victim as 76-year-old John Muraco, who resided on 102nd Street.
According to the New York Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call at around 11:45 p.m. When they arrived, they discovered Muraco suffering from a stab wound to the chest. Despite the rapid response of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police reported that a person of interest was taken into custody shortly after the incident, though no charges had been announced as of Sunday. Officials have not released the identity of the individual in custody, nor have they confirmed what role the person may have played in the deadly confrontation.
Neighbors who spoke with CBS News New York suggested the stabbing may have stemmed from a family dispute, though investigators have not confirmed that account. Many residents expressed shock over the incident, describing it as unexpected in their otherwise calm community. One neighbor said the family had only moved into the neighborhood about a year ago, and few people knew much about them.
By Sunday morning, investigators remained on the scene, with crime scene tape cordoning off the property. Detectives continued to search for evidence inside and outside the home while uniformed officers maintained a presence in the area. The heavy police activity underscored the seriousness of the case and the importance of uncovering what led to Muraco’s death.
The NYPD has urged anyone with information related to the case to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the department’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or in Spanish at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Submissions can also be made online via the Crime Stoppers website, with all tips kept strictly confidential.
For the Howard Beach community, the killing has left a sense of unease. Violent crime is relatively rare in the neighborhood, and residents said the news was both alarming and heartbreaking. A number of locals described Muraco as a longtime resident who was well known in the area, further deepening the sense of loss.
While police have taken a person of interest into custody, many questions remain unanswered. Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive, nor have they said whether the stabbing was premeditated or the result of a sudden altercation. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives continuing to interview witnesses, examine forensic evidence, and piece together the sequence of events.
As the case unfolds, the NYPD is expected to release more details in the coming days. For now, the tragic death of John Muraco serves as a stark reminder of how quickly violence can erupt, even within the walls of one’s own home.
