Dr. Krystal Cascetta, a cancer expert and assistant professor of medicine in New York, walked into her child’s bedroom and shot the infant dead before turning the gun on herself, police believe
A top cancer doctor and her baby were found dead at their home in a suspected murder-suicide.
Police believe Krystal Cascetta, 40, walked into her child’s bedroom and opened fire on the infant before turning the gun on herself. Dr Cascetta was a respected cancer specialist at New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital.
It is thought the tragedy unfolded at 7am at the family home in Somers, a town of 21,000 in New York state. Detectives described the injuries as “consistent with a murder/suicide”. The medic leaves behind her husband Tim Talty, whom she married in 2019.
Police said in a statement: “The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) Somers are investigating a murder/suicide in the town of Somers. A preliminary investigation revealed that at approximately 7am, Krystal Cascetta entered her child’s room and shot her baby and then turned the gun on herself. The scene is consistent with a murder/suicide.
“Dr Krystal Cascetta was a renowned oncologist for Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City.” The age and sex of her child have not been disclosed.
Dr Cascetta was an assistant professor of medicine with the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Her profile on the hospital website says: “Dr Cascetta is board-certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. She received her medical degree from Albany Medical College where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society for demonstrating excellence in humanistic clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service.
“As a resident, she received the Intern of the Year award, Humanism in Medicine award and the Daniel Ross Gold, DO Resident Teacher of the Year award.”
Her specialist fields included breast cancer clinical trials, gynecologic cancer, sarcoma and gastrointestinal cancers.
Social media users paid tribute to the mum and baby. One wrote: “What horrible news. I just heard on the news! Dr Krystal Cascetta you were true to your profession. You were caring and very compassionate to your patients. I will miss our talks. May you and your child RIP!!!!” Another added: “So sad. Heartbreaking news . RIP. Her patients loved her so much.”
The doctor’s LinkedIn page reveals she earned a biochemistry degree in 2005, followed by a medical degree from Albany Medical College in 2009 and a master’s in health administration in 2022. She held board certifications in haematology, internal medicine and medical oncology.
