Top cancer doctor ‘shot her baby and herself in murder-suicide’
A cancer doctor beloved by the small New York town she called home killed herself and her baby, according to reports.
Dr Krystal Cascetta shot a baby and then herself at their home in Somers, a town about 50 miles northeast of New York City, state police believe.
She is believed to have died at 7am on Saturday. It is unclear how old the baby was.
‘The scene is consistent with a murder/suicide,’ New York State Police added.
To locals who knew her, Dr Cascetta was a ‘quiet’ and kind person. One of her patients told CBS New York that she had been on maternity leave.
A farm owner said an EMT texted him to say emergency services were pulling up outside Dr Cascetta’s home on Granite Springs Road.
‘They were a nice young family and we didn’t know that they had a child,’ said Betty Stuart.
Another added: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything so sad as long as I’ve been here.’
Dr Cascetta was described by police as a ‘renowned oncologist at Mount Sinai Hospital’ in New York City.
According to the hospital website, Dr Caspetta was a Hematology-Oncology specialist and led its ‘state-of-the-art treatment centre for cancer and blood disorders’.
She was known for her ‘leadership, compassion and dedication’, so much so she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) when she was a medical student at Albany Medical College.
Dr Cascetta had also been studying for a master of health administration degree at Cornell University as of last year.
A spokesperson for Mount Sinai Health System said in a statement: ‘The Mount Sinai community is greatly saddened by the tragic loss of a Mount Sinai Health System doctor and her child.
‘We extend our deepest sympathies to Dr Cascetta’s family, friends, colleagues, and patients.’
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you're a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org between the hours of 9am and midnight.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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