A 15-year-old boy from Long Island is facing charges of murder and attempted murder after allegedly killing his grandmother and stabbing his mother. The violent incident occurred in their Selden home following a dispute over material found on the teenager’s computer, as reported by the Suffolk County Police Department. The specific content that sparked the altercation remains undisclosed.
The teenager’s mother, Vanessa Chendemi, 36, managed to escape the terrifying ordeal after her son repeatedly stabbed her around 9:45 p.m. She flagged down a passing motorist who stopped to assist her, and she was able to call 911 from the vehicle.
Upon arrival at the residence on 802 Old Town Road, police discovered the body of the boy’s grandmother, 56-year-old Concetta Chendemi, who had sustained multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local residents expressed shock at the violent crime, describing Concetta as a hardworking and kind-hearted woman. She held two jobs, one at a laundromat in Yaphank and another in the bakery department of a ShopRite in Port Jefferson. One neighbor recalled her as a friendly and upbeat woman, despite her long working hours.
The neighbor also expressed disbelief at the motive behind the brutal crime, questioning how someone could harm a person who worked tirelessly to provide for them.
Dominic Iadanza, a 28-year-old coworker from the ShopRite bakery, was deeply affected by the tragic news, describing Concetta as a genuinely kind person who was always willing to lend a hand.
Vanessa Chendemi, who suffered multiple stab wounds to her face, arm, back, and neck, was transported to a local hospital where she remains in stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit.
The teenage suspect, whose identity has not been released due to his age, fled the scene following the stabbings. Police apprehended him less than half a mile away near Dare Road and Buckskin Lane in Selden around 11:22 p.m. He is scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Tuesday.
The Suffolk County Police Department reported that there had been no previous incidents of domestic violence at the residence.