Woman Accused of Killing Fiancee During Hudson River Kayaking Trip

Orange County officials have arrested the fiancee of a man who was reported missing after a kayaking accident on the Hudson River near Cornwall April 19.

Angelika Graswald, 35, of Poughkeepsie, has been charged with second-degree murder.

Neither the state police nor Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler gave any details about their investigation or the crime that is alleged to have taken place.

Last week, the story as state police provided it was that Graswald and Vincent Viafore were kayaking on the Hudson at about 7:30 p.m. when rough water and strong wind and currents caused Viafore’s kayak to capsize. Viafore was not wearing a flotation device and was unable to return to his kayak.

Graswald contacted 911 to report the incident, but during her efforts to assist Viafore, she fell out of her own kayak. She was subsequently located in the water by a boater and was rescued.

Both kayaks were located and recovered, but State Police Aviation, local marine patrols and fire departments have been unsuccessful in locating Viafore.

Graswald was treated and released from a local hospital for hypothermia.

SEE: Search Continues for Missing Kayaker

Here’s the full text of the DA’s statement:

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that Angelika Graswald, 35, of Poughkeepsie, has been charged with Murder in the Second Degree in connection with the death of her fiancée, Vincent Viafore.

On April 19, 2015, the Orange County 911 Center received a call that Viafore’s kayak had capsized during a kayaking trip on the Hudson River. The New York State Police and other first responders searched the river for Viafore, eventually recovering his kayak, and that of Graswald, who had been taken aboard a private vessel. To date, Viafore’s body has not been located.

On April 30, 2015, the New York State Police charged Graswald with Murder in the Second Degree for intentionally killing Viafore. Graswald was arraigned by Town of New Windsor Justice Richard Thorpe, who ordered Graswald remanded to the Orange County Jail with no bail. Graswald is scheduled to next appear in Town Justice Court on May 5, 2015. The matter will be presented to an Orange County Grand Jury.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation of the case.

In addition, District Attorney Hoovler thanked all the first responders and civilian volunteers for their efforts in searching for and trying to rescue the victim. Agencies which aided in the search and attempted rescue included the Westchester Department of Public Safety, Rockland County Sheriff, Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, West Point Fire Department, Fort Mongomery Fire Department, Vails Gate Fire Department, Stony Point Fire Department, City of Newburgh Fire Department, City of Newburgh Police Department, Cornwall-on-Hudson Police Department, Town of New Windsor Police Department and Town of Cornwall Police Department, as well as other agencies.

“My office is working closely with the New York State Police to ensure that this case can be presented to an Orange County Grand Jury next week,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “I thank the New York State Police, and all the first responders and civilian volunteers who searched for and tried to rescue Mr. Viafore. The investigation of this matter is ongoing.”

A criminal charge is merely an allegation by the police that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.