Funds Raised For Long Island Family Whose Matriarch Was Killed

DEER PARK, NY — A friend of the Long Island family who lost their matriarch in a fatal stabbing over Christmas is raising funds to help them with the costs of her funeral and the medical bills for her son who was also injured in the attack.

Eighty-five-year-old Deer Park resident Marie Mille was stabbed to death by her son's ex-girlfriend Shaquela Titley on Dec. 23, police said. Her son, Joseph Mille, 46, was also stabbed when he returned to their Deer Park home, said police, adding, that he was able to get out of the home and called 911 from a neighbor's house. He was taken to a local hospital where he needed surgery for "serious, but non-life-threatening injuries," police said.

Mike Bodt, the best friend of Mille, has set up a GoFundMe page, telling prospective donors that the family’s lives "were changed forever with the unspeakable murder of their mother, Marie."

"Marie was the matriarch and pillar of their family and lived her life with everlasting love and kindness," he wrote. "Her life and the memories she created will never be forgotten. Joe was also seriously injured in the attack and faces a long physical and emotional recovery from this tragedy. The Deer Park and Smith Street community will never be the same."

So far, the page has raised about $28,000 of its $30,000 goal.

Bodt did not respond to a request for comment.

On the page, he says that he created it on behalf of the Mille family to help pay for the funeral costs, hospital bills, "and the emotional recovery as they deal with this tragedy," according to its synopsis.

"Please know that I am not asking or begging for money," he wrote. "I am simply trying to think of any way that I could make this even .000000001% better for Joe and his family in the long recovery process. Please help Joe and his family feel the love and support of the community as they deal with healing from this horrific tragedy."

"We are crushed," Bodt continues, adding, "We are empty. We are devastated. We are in disbelief. We are hurting. But Marie’s positive spirit and the selfless love that she gave every day will help us prevail. God bless you all!"

Titley was arrested was charged with second-degree murder and she is due back in court on Jan. 24.

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