Fiancee Indicted in Kayak Case

An Orange County Grand Jury has indicted Angelika Graswald, 35, of Poughkeepsie, for the charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Manslaughter in the Second Degree in connection with the death of her fiancé, Vincent Viafore.

The indictment was filed with the County Court on May 26, District Attorney David Hoovler announced today.

“Although the grand jury has voted to indict the defendant on these charges the investigation is continuing and my office is working closely with the New York State Police,” said 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.”

On April 19, 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.

On April 30, the New York State Police charged Graswald with Murder in the Second Degree for intentionally killing Viafore.

Graswald is currently being held in the Orange County Jail. Orange County Court Judge Robert H. Freehill has set Graswald’s bail at $3,000,000 cash or $9,000,000 bond.

On Saturday May 23, 2015, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit were notified about a body floating in the Hudson River in the vicinity of West Point. They located and secured the body until the New York State Police could respond and recover the body from the river. The body was positively identified as that of Mr. Viafore. Additional testing and examinations of Mr. Viafore’s body are being conducted by the Orange County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The indictment alleges that Graswald intentionally killed Viafore. The allegations include that Graswald killed her fiancé by, among other ways, removing a plug from his kayak so that it would fill with water, and tampering with his paddle. It is also alleged that she moved the paddle away from him as he was struggling to stay afloat with water temperatures in the 40 degree range, and failed to render him assistance including timely calls for help.

Hoovler thanked the New York State Police for their investigation of the case. In addition, he 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.

The prosecution of the case is being handled by Assistant District Attorney Julie Mohl and Senior Assistant District Attorney David Byrne.

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.

PHOTO: David Hoovler (center) addresses media at press conference on Tuesday to announce that an Orange County Grand Jury has indicted Angelika Graswald, 35, of Poughkeepsie for the charges of Murder in the Second Degree and Manslaughter in the Second Degree in connection with the death of her fiancé, Vincent Viafore. Pictured with Mr. Hoovler are Orange County Sheriff Carl E. Dubois (left) and State Police Captain Brendan Casey (right)/courtesy Orange County DA’s Office

RELATED:

• Search Begins Again for Kayaker who Capsized Near Cornwall
• Woman Accused of Killing Fiancee During Hudson River Kayaking Trip
• Bail Hearing for Fiancee Accused of Kayak Killing