Arrest In Slayings Of 2 Men Found Shot To Death In Long Island Home Last May: Police

SELDEN, NY — A Bay Shore man has been charged with the murder of two men found shot to death at a Selden home back in May, Suffolk police said.

Brian Cordovano, 48, has been arrested for the murder of Ian Saalfield and Robert Julian, who were found dead in a Hollywood Avenue home in Selden on May 3, 2022, according to police.

Cordovano was arrested following a traffic stop on Columbus Avenue in Smithtown just before noon, police said, adding, that Cordovano was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, "among other charges."

Police from the 4th Precinct discovered Saalfield and Julian at around 10:45 p.m., according to a news release.

Ian Saalfield, a 45-year-old Lake Grove resident who had been reported missing by his wife on April 26, and the homeowner, 58-year-old Robert Julian, were pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, police said.

Investigators do not believe the shootings are a murder-suicide and are examining whether a "drug trade" was involved, Det. Lt. Kevin Beyrer, commanding officer of Suffolk's homicide squad told Newsday.
"Right now, we don't know the relationship between the two men," Beyrer told the outlet. "We believe they're friends of some sort ... This does not appear to be a murder-suicide."

Neighbors expressed disbelief at the shootings.

Tommy Cobb told News 12: "I knew him, he was my neighbor, very friendly, says hello to my daughter, waves every time I see him. Very polite, very friendly. Like I said, this is just a random and awkward situation. He's a nice guy, I would never expect this."

Cordovano will be held overnight at the 3rd Precinct for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Thursday.