What to Know
- An arrest has been made in connection to the death of a 39-year-old woman found shot to death inside her luxury Long Island apartment after a welfare check over the weekend, authorities announced Wednesday.
- Mark Small, 55, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the death of Marivel Estevez, Nassau Police say.
- Neighbors said that Estevez worked in the building, The Allure of Mineola. Police said Small and Estevez had a "tumultuous relationship" and after an argument he shot her multiple times with a .38 revolver.
An arrest has been made in connection to the death of a 39-year-old woman found shot to death inside her luxury Long Island apartment after a welfare check over the weekend, authorities announced Wednesday.
Mark Small, 55, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the death of Marivel Estevez, Nassau police said.
Attorney information for Small was not immediately known.
Police say that Small, a former Rockville Centre restaurant owner who had to close his business just a few weeks ago, and Estevez had a "tumultuous relationship." Estevez wanted to end things Thursday night, which led to an argument between the pair. He then shot her multiple times with a .38-caliber revolver, police said.
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Small allegedly then took her dog and car to flee the scene, but was subsequently involved in a car crash on the Long Island Expressway.
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Police say when the dog escaped the car following the crash, Small tried to get it back and was struck by a car, suffering non-life threatening injuries.
Small was taken to an area hospital, where he is awaiting arraignment on murder and other charges.
Neighbors said that Estevez worked in the building, The Allure of Mineola, and would often give tours of the facility to new residents. She lived in a fifth-floor apartment in the complex.
Cops found her body Saturday during a wellness check, officials said, though it's unclear who asked police to conduct it.
According to police, investigators used technology within the building to determine that Small was the only person who could have shot her. They also say that the alleged murder weapon was recovered.
He pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to second-degree murder charges and was ordered held without bail.
The Allure of Mineola is described on its website as a five-star building with hotel-inspired features, but it was grief and concern among neighbors that filled the hallways after the woman's death.
Resident Eric Greenberg said the woman was "so sweet, so nice" and said it was horrible to learn of her death.
"She was just a warm presence in this building," Greenberg said.
Those who live in The Allure said the victim was listed as working in the building's marketing department and that she planned events. Detectives were seen leaving the complex Monday with bags of possible evidence in hand.
Police had told residents it was an isolated incident but some still expressed concern. A spokesperson for Allure had said the company was cooperating with police.
