Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Dr. Kathryn Faughey Apparently Hacked To Death David Tarloff Arrested? Update 2-18 Case Solved?















New York's Upper East Side may never be the same. 56-year-old psychiatrist Kathryn Faughey was apparently hacked to death with a meat cleaver by a middle aged blond haired male. It is not clear if the killer was a patient. Dr. Kent Shinback, a male therapist apparently attempted to assist Faughey during the attack. Shinback was also seriously cut in the face by the suspect. Shinback was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill/Cornell. Shinback is in serious condition. The killer apparently left his suit cases in the basement and then escaped through a basement exit.

Dr. Kathryn Faughey was apparently a well respected, licensed psychologist. She practiced cognitive behavioral therapy which focused on changing thoughts that cause feelings or behaviors. She was married to Walter Adam, an attorney. (The above photos are of a friend interviewed by police who is not at the present considered to be a suspect, the surveillance video of the suspect, the sketch of the suspect, and a demonstrative meat cleaver.)

Update 2-13-08:The attack shocked the city's large community of mental health professionals."This is, I think, an extraordinary occurrence," said Sharon Brennan, a psychologist in Manhattan and a spokeswoman for the New York State Psychological Association. "It has had a shocking impact on the whole New York community."Alexandra Pike, who lives across the street apparently allowed a news photographer to shoot the scene from her family's apartment. Faughey's web site indicated that she treated patients for relationship issues, coping with breakups, anxiety, panic attacks, stress over job changes and online intimacy.

Police have apparently recovered three knives from the scene, including the cleaver and a 9-inch knife. A suitcase on wheels filled with women's clothing and adult diapers was also recovered. A bag with eight smaller knives not used in the attack were apparently also found. According to Paul Browne (police spokesman), "The condition of the room was that of a fierce struggle... There was blood on the floor and on the walls."


According to Fox News, the man was wearing a green overcoat and baseball hat. He arrived at the office about 8 p.m. supposedly saying he had an appointment with Dr. Kent Shinbach, a geriatric psychiatrist who worked in the same suite with Dr. Faughey. According to police, the suspect walked past a doorman and into the waiting room. As he assaulted, Dr. Faughey, Dr. Shinbach apparently struggled with the suspect. The suspect attacked Shinbach and pinned him to the wall with a chair. He told Shinbach that he knew where he lived and took his wallet.

In a 2004 New York Times interview, Faughey adviced those breaking up to, "In the old days it was burn the letters," she said. "Today, clear the hard drive."

Therapists, like any one else, can become victims. For example, a psychiatrist in Omaha died from an attack from a patient with a grudge and a history of violence. Safety has to always be a concern for all professionals. Hopefully authorities will find the suspect so that this world will have one less "safety risk." If you recognize the suspect call Crime Stoppers or Police!

Update 2-14-08: Physical profile: 5'9" 200 lbs. Mid 40's. Balding. Mental profile: Since Dr. Faughey's patients were mostly female, Legal Pub projects that the killer, may have been a boyfriend or spouse of a patient or a patient. The killer is intelligent and meticulous as to detail. (He had all the tools and some left over.) This killing was planned. Since it turns out that there were prints, it was not a professional killer. But it may still have been done by someone with experience in killing.

Update 2-15-08: On Thursday, police questioned and released a Pennsylvania man Dr. Faughey had offered to help with personal problems. Dr. Faughey mentioned him in a recent message, sent about a half-hour before she was killed. Detectives interviewed William Kunsman in Pennsylvania on Thursday. He was not considered a suspect. The man had met Dr. Faughey at a guitar camp several years ago. The man said that he hadn't even heard about Dr. Faughey's death. Have N.Y. police obtained a court order for the patient records which are apparently protected by HIPAA?

Second 2-15 Update:
reported that the surviving victim may have identified a suspect. The District Attorney will obviously await forensic evidence before considering any arrest. (See link below.) William Kunsman had nothing to do with the murder. Kunsman is completely innocent and clearly explained to the press that he had nothing to do with her death. LINK William Kunsman looks different then the sketch, the surveilance video, and does not match the physical description of the killer. His wife can verify where he was at the time of the killing. Kunsman is not the killer. Kunsman was home Tuesday night playing with his kids and is completely innocent!

Update 2-16-08: Profilest has provided a theory that the killer was an ex- lover of a patient or a patient who used Dr. Faughey to help with a break up. The adult diapers made in Pennsylvania can be purchased on the internet. Profilest feels that an erroneous concentration on Kunsman may have distracted the focus of the investigation. This could be criminal behavior triggered by rage which Legal Pub's Proposal to Reduce Domestic Violence was designed to reduce. If it turns out that divorce or post break up dispute concerning children caused the killer to snap, then this topic can be explored in more detail.

Update 2-16-08 Afternoon: Major break! Police are apparently questioning a former patient of Faughey's colleague. Police are apparently awaiting forensic evidence including fingerprints found at the bloody crime scene before formal charges are made. However, the former patient is believed to be a 39 year old telemarketer living in Queens. He is round faced and balding like the suspect in the surveillance video. He may have been treated in the past by 70-year-old Dr. Kent Shinbach and evaluated by Dr. Faughey. Was the suspect mad at Dr. Kathryn Faughey over a decision that sent him to a mental institution? He has a rather long history of mental complications. Apparently police are holding the suspect but have yet to charge him. It's unclear why Shinbach did not immediately recognize the suspect! The killer's entrance and exit through the building was caught on security cameras. It is also believed that the killer had visited the offices approximately 90 minutes before he returned for the killing. Security cameras had filmed the killer in his earlier visit walking through the front door and exiting through the basement.

Update 2-18-08: 39-year-old telemarketer David Tarloff apparently fits the physical description of the suspect. Supposedly, he was once a patient of Dr. Kent D. Shinbach, the surviving victim of the attack. He reportedly has a history of mental illness and violent behavior according to the New York Times. Tarloff was arrested for Dr. Faughey's murder. He apparently told police that he had intended to rob the Kent Shinbach. (Shinback had apparently institutionalized Tarloff 17 years ago. Tarloff then planned to take his mother and flee the U.S. (Tarloff's mother was in a nursing home, which explains the diapers and women's clothing.) The police apparently have their man! Good job N.Y.P.D.! (Photo of arrest courtesy of CBS)

46 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is real scary. From every thing I hear, she was a doc who tried to help people.

Jill

Anonymous said...

Hope they catch whoever is responsible...

Anonymous said...

It is unfair to blame Dr. Faughey for failing to "change the thoughts" of her killer. The horrific events surrounding her death are unknown to us, and by all accounts she was a respected therapist.

Sorrow said...

How very sad it is to read such an inane piece of drivel. How dare you write about Kathy, or anyone for that matter, who was so violently killed for trying to help someone. You should be so ashamed of yourself for trying to put something out there simply for shock value and I would truly hope that people reading it would comment to you (whoever you are...you are too cowardly to leave a name) on what a small, nasty person you are. Spend a fraction of your obvious energy and maybe try helping someone rather than tear down a murdered woman. Shame on you.

Anonymous said...

I HOPE THEY CATCH THE KILLER

Anonymous said...

I don't read any thing in this article as attempting to tear down the doctor. This forum has been a great way to get the facts out about many tragic events. The net effect of most of these articles is to present a balanced approach to stories. If you take the time to read some stories you will also see it has provided families with the ability to grieve and even vent.

Bruce

Legal Pub said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

The police should be able to track down the killer using patient logs and the surveillance video. Expect an arrest within 24 hours!

Law Man

Anonymous said...

How tough could it be to find a patient list and track down the individual if he is a patient. Now he could also be a relative of a patient!

Anonymous said...

Some one post the photo of the suspect and let readers of Legal Pub track him down.

Jess

Legal Pub said...

No disrespect to any victim is ever intended. Legal Pub would welcome photos of the suspect and will gladly post the same when received.

In the interim, a little more information on the Doctor.

In a Psychology Today profile, Dr. Faughey wrote: "My approach is interactive, focused and solution-oriented... Sessions move quickly. I give feedback. Very practical and to the point, I practice cognitive psychotherapy effectively -- in a warm, clear and lively manner."

Dr. Faughey apparently lived in a building across the street with her husband, Walter Adam. It appears that the couple had no children. She was a respected doctor who apparently helped a lot of people. She apparently was dedicated to her job but regularly enjoyed vacationing in Paris.

We should all extend our sympathies to the Dr. Faughey's family and friends. Once we get a photo of the alleged suspect,let's track him down and bring him to justice.

Anonymous said...

Time to put a few more of them bad boys in jail...

Willie

Sorrow said...

I reread your blog and you probably could have left out the comment about Kathy failing to change her killer's thoughts. I still say that was probably not needed. Kathy was a friend of mine for years and yours was the first article/blog I read that bothered me. You need to know the person before commenting like that. I take back the "shame on you". Kathy was a most complex woman and we have shared many, many hours together as friends. I have one memory of my visiting NYC and getting together with her for dinner at a little Italian restaurant a few years ago within walking distance of her home. We walked to dinner, laughed and talked through dinner, and walked back to her apartment...then I walked back to where I was staying. One of those nights where NYC was magical. It was a fun girls night out without the husbands...although we had many, many such nights with our husbands as well. Rest in Peace Kathy.

Ms Calabaza said...

sorrow,

as a therapist myself, I can assure you that what is sometimes used in this forum is simply gallows humor.
There are people who comment on this site from all walks of life and this is simply a venue to vent; read other's points of view; discuss; and maybe get a chuckle for the day.

The editor of this site is a very kind and fair person who simply provides this venue for all of us to comment on news stories.

Sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

I don't see any malice here...

This is a story about murder. It occurred allegedly by a patient.

The fact is that it occurred with a cleaver. It is gross. It is horrible. But it is reality.

Everyone who regularly reads or posts on this site has sympathy to friends and family. It is great that the Doc had a friend such as you to share with us a nice story.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and information with others. There are many of us who read, write and post to this site that started by reading an article about a loved one.

R.P.

Anonymous said...

Kathryn was a great Doc and an even better person. R.I.P.

Legal Pub said...

Update 2-13-08:The attack shocked the city's large community of mental health professionals."This is, I think, an extraordinary occurrence," said Sharon Brennan, a psychologist in Manhattan and a spokeswoman for the New York State Psychological Association. "It has had a shocking impact on the whole New York community."Alexandra Pike, who lives across the street in the same apartment building where the victim lived, allowed a news photographer to shoot the scene from her family's apartment and said she used his telephoto lens to look into the victim's office.On her Web site, Faughey said she treated patients for relationship issues, coping with breakups, anxiety, panic attacks, stress over job changes and online intimacy.Serious attacks by patients on their mental health providers are rare, but they do happen, although usually in institutions that see more seriously ill patients.A psychiatrist in Omaha died from head injuries in August, several days after a patient with a grudge and a history of violence attacked him as he arrived at a medical center.It is common for therapists who see patients in their homes or private offices to install alarm systems, or even help buzzers, in the event that a patient starts to lose control. In Manhattan, those safety systems are often complemented by the usual security systems for office buildings, which include doormen and video cameras."Safety is always a concern," Brennan said. She added that therapists are thoroughly trained in how to assess a patient's potential for violence, and would normally see patients in a private setting only if they had determined that the safety risk was low.

Police have apparently recovered three knives from the scene, including the cleaver and a 9-inch knife. A suitcase on wheels filled with women's clothing and adult diapers was also recovered. A bag with eight smaller knives not used in the attack were apparently also found. According to Paul Browne (police spokesman), "The condition of the room was that of a fierce struggle... There was blood on the floor and on the walls."

According to Fox News, the man was wearing a green overcoat and baseball hat. He arrived at the office about 8 p.m. supposedly saying he had an appointment with Dr. Kent Shinbach, a geriatric psychiatrist who worked in the same suite with Dr. Faughey. According to police, the suspect walked past a doorman and into the waiting room. As he assaulted, Dr. Faughey, Dr. Shinbach apparently struggled with the suspect. The suspect attacked Shinbach and pinned him to the wall with a chair.

In a 2004 New York Times interview, Faughey adviced those breaking up to, "In the old days it was burn the letters," she said. "Today, clear the hard drive."
Therapists, like any one else, can become victims. For example, a psychiatrist in Omaha died from an attack from a patient with a grudge and a history of violence. Safety has to always be a concern for all professionals. Hopefully authorities will find the suspect so that this world will have one less "safety risk." If you recognize the suspect call Crime Stoppers.

Anonymous said...

He looks like a homeless man and He hangs around the starbucks on York ave.
His clothes are not clean and He's been in the area for a few days now with those suitcases, dragging them around.
It all adds up now....
FYI: the "reason" for the murder may just shock the upper eastside.

Anonymous said...

What do you mean, "the reason for the murder may shock the upper east side"?

I came upon this site, because I just saw the story air on the news and I live in the building next door. I think this is a tragic, useless crime by someone clearly troubled beyond repair. No one needs to fault Dr. Faughey's character as a practitioner, just be reminded what kind of human being becomes a psychologist-empathic, generous, compassionate, complex, sometimes even selfless...and yet, at the end of the day, they are human as well. May she rest and find peace wherever she may be. And please do let us "upper east siders" in on the reason, if in fact you have a clue into this seemingly senseless act.

Anonymous said...

Very sad and tragic. I was looking at her website today and found the following:

Emotion Focused Therapy

Couples therapy in New York. It's known as "EFT," an abbreviation for "Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy." ... An innovative and effective therapy for couples issues. Above all, admit that you're emotionally dependent on your partner - just as a child is dependent on his parents - for things like protection, security, and feeling special.

Sue Johnson, the Canadian developer of this theory, says that "some therapists today believe that feeling dependent in an adult relationship is pathological, something to be ashamed of." But she insists that one of EFT's strengths is that it "depathologizes dependency," rescuing the idea of being vulnerable from the disrepute it's fallen into.


8 knives, women's clothing and adult diapers were found in bags left by the murderer. Something set this guy off into a mad rage and she never saw it coming. Was it something about dependency and shame?

It will be interesting to unravel. I'm very sorry for her family and friends loss.

Anonymous said...

Let's hear about possible motives!

Anonymous said...

Could the killer be a disgruntled divorcee?

Could he be a man faced with losing everything after a divorce or custody fight?

Was he someone dealing with senility?

Why did he have adult diapers and women's clothes?

Legal Pub said...

Decent surveillance video of the suspect.

Anonymous said...

Legal Pub, could he have been wanting to use the women's clothes as a way to disguise himself either during or after the attack?

Anonymous said...

Come on New York! Some one has to know who this is!

Anonymous said...

Look at the photo! Look at the sketch! Call in the suspects!

Legal Pub said...

Update 2-14-08: Physical profile: 5'9" 200 lbs. Mid 40's. Balding. Mental profile: Since Dr. Faughey's patients were mostly female, Legal Pub projects that the killer, may have been a boyfriend or spouse of a patient. The killer is intelligent and meticulous as to detail. (He had all the tools and some left over.) This killing was planned. If there are no prints, it may have been done by someone with experience in killing. If there are finger prints left at the scene (such as on the suitcase) then it was still done by someone with great attention to detail, but they were not a professional killer.

Legal Pub said...

Come on New York, help prove Sorrow wrong and help identify the suspect. Don't leave us hanging. I will gladly forward any tips to the N.Y. Police.

Anonymous said...

Got eyes wide open!

Viper said...

We all have our eyes wide open. He will be caught!

Legal Pub said...

On Thursday, police questioned and released a Pennsylvania man Dr. Faughey had offered to help with personal problems. Dr. Faughey mentioned him in a recent message, sent about a half-hour before she was killed.

Detectives interviewed the man, (whose name I will not include) in Pennsylvania on Thursday. He was not considered a suspect. The man had met Dr. Faughey at a guitar camp several years ago.

The man said that when detectives arrived he hadn't even heard about Faughey's death. Apparently N.Y. police still have not obtained a court order for the patient records which are apparently protected by HIPAA.

Legal Pub said...

WABC is reporting that the surviving victim has identified identified the man questioned today by police in Pennsylvania as the killer. The District Attorney is awaiting forensic evidence before considering an arrest.

William Kunsman spent more than eight hours Thursday being questioned by police in Coplay, Pennsylvania.

Kunsman is to be considered innocent of all charges unless and until he is proven otherwise.

Anonymous said...

Lisa Nowak (astronaut turned attempted kidnapper) may have been experienced in adult diapers. What did adult diapers have to do with the murder of Dr. Kathryn Faughey in New York. There, the murder had adult diapers, womens clothing, knives, tape and rope.

Maybe the killer read the Legal Pub story about Nowak and got some ideas?

Anonymous said...

I have a theory. She mostly treated patients and had a specialty in helping people break up. My hypothesis is that the killer is a pissed-off ex who was dumped with th e doctor's assistance. I suspect the killer may have even been abusing the woman patient. It could be that woman patient's clothing in the suitcase.

I agree with you, Legal Pub, it is not William Kunsman. I think he has been a distraction for the police which is unfortunate.

Profilest

Legal Pub said...

Update 2-16-08: Profilest has provided a theory that the killer was an ex- boyfriend or ex-husband of a patient who used Dr. Faughey to break up. The adult diapers made in Pennsylvania can be purchased on the internet. Profilest feels that the ernoneous concentration on Kunsman has distracted the focus of the investigation. This may turn out to be criminal behavior related to a breakup which Legal Pub's Proposal to Reduce Domestic Violence was designed to reduce. If it turns out that divorce or post break up dispute concerning children caused the killer to snap.

Legal Pub said...

Update 2-16-08 Afternoon: Some major break throughs have recently occurred. Police are apparently questioning a former patient of Dr. Faughey. Police are apparently awaiting forenzic evidence including fingerprints found at the bloody crime scene. The former patient is believed to be in his 40s and living in Queens. He apparently had been treated in the past by 70-year-old Dr. Kent Shinbach. Apparently police are holding the suspect but have yet to charge him with any crime. It's unclear to Legal Pub why the wounded Shinbach did not immediately recognize the suspect! The killer's entrance and exit through the building was caught on security cameras. It is also believed that the killer had visited the offices approximately 90 minutes before he returned for the killing. Security cameras had filmed the killer in his earlier visit walking through the front door and exiting through the basement. Looks like the police may have their man!

Legal Pub said...

Update 2-16-08 Afternoon: Some major break throughs have recently occurred. Police are apparently questioning a former patient of Dr. Faughey. Police are apparently awaiting forenzic evidence including fingerprints found at the bloody crime scene. The former patient is believed to be in his 40s and living in Queens. He apparently had been treated in the past by 70-year-old Dr. Kent Shinbach. Apparently police are holding the suspect but have yet to charge him with any crime. It's unclear to Legal Pub why the wounded Shinbach did not immediately recognize the suspect! The killer's entrance and exit through the building was caught on security cameras. It is also believed that the killer had visited the offices approximately 90 minutes before he returned for the killing. Security cameras had filmed the killer in his earlier visit walking through the front door and exiting through the basement. Looks like the police may have their man!

Anonymous said...

Great coverage wire to wire!

Anonymous said...

Ditto! Best coverage on the net!

Anonymous said...

Certainly the most comprehensive beginning to end. Great research and comments. Cuddos to all who contributed.

G.S.

Anonymous said...

Have to say, even I am impressed with the coverage and the updates.

I hope this man David Tarloff gets a lot of help while he is in prison. The emotional scars he has left on the east side will not fade any time soon.

Kimmie

Anonymous said...

Dr. Faughey helped a lot of people. She will be missed by clients, family and friends.

Anonymous said...

Dr. Faughey can now R.I.P.

Anonymous said...

Faughey was a compassionate woman who helped a lot of people. Just to clear up a misconception, Faughey and Adam were happy at the time of her death. While she filed for divorce from Adam in 2003,after a short separation, the couple reunited. They were living together at the time of her death.

May this nice woman and wonderful therapist rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

This is my nomination for story of the year.

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