Manhattan: Double homicide of Dominican caregiver and patient

The New York Police Department is investigating a double homicide in East Harlem, Manhattan, after a 55-year-old Dominican home health aide, Elsa Espina-Espinal, and her 66-year-old patient, Wilgen Elias Severino-Tatis, were found shot dead.

The victims were discovered on the night of Thursday, November 5, 2026, inside an apartment at the Gaylord White Houses, a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complex. Both individuals had sustained gunshot wounds to the head. Investigators have ruled out suicide, noting that no firearms were found at the scene and the male victim was discovered tied up.

Espina-Espinal, a resident of the Bronx originally from Santo Domingo, was reportedly due to retire next month and return to the Dominican Republic. Severino-Tatis, a Puerto Rican man, had been receiving care from Espina-Espinal for four years.

Residents of the complex expressed concerns regarding security, noting that the building is currently surrounded by scaffolding due to renovation work, which may have facilitated unauthorized access. As of Friday, no arrests have been made.