Teen strangled, slit 9-year-old's throat
Tuesday, Sep. 2 2008 @ 7:30AM
UPDATE
The New York Post is reporting an arrest and confession in the murder of Kevin Pravia. From the paper:
The suspect allegedly told investigators that he bought drugs from Pravia before they went to the apartment - though police sources said they doubt the drug buy claim.
The suspect allegedly accompanied Pravia back to the student's Chelsea apartment. Pravia, who was reportedly very drunk (see below), eventually fell asleep. Then the as-yet-unnamed 22-year-old suspect allegedly struck Pravia, wrapped a cord around his neck, shoved a plastic bag in his mouth, and strangled him (NYC's ABC affiliate says the suspect allegedly smothered the victim with a pillow). Police say the suspect then took off with Kevin Pravia's iPod, laptop and cell phone. Some of the items were later sold on the street. [Hat-tip to reader "LoisDenominator."]
Original Post
The New York Sun is reporting this morning that Kevin Michael Pravia's death is being investigated as a homicide.
The 19-year-old honors student at Pace University was found Sunday by his roommate, Josephine Madonna, in the apartment they shared in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. Pravia was strangled with some kind of cord and a plastic bag was stuffed in his throat. According to the Sun, "a police report released yesterday indicated that they were investigating the death as a homicide."
Pravia was wearing a t-shirt and boxer shorts when he was found. He was laying face up in his bed, covered with a sheet.
An article published this morning in the New York Daily News states that Pravia left a party around 5:30 Saturday morning. He was inebriated and had to be helped to a taxi and given cab fare home.
After he left the party, Pravia called at least five male friends. Police have already confirmed the alibi of one friend.
Further confirmation that Kevin Pravia was murdered may be inferred by the Daily News report that "Detectives were also looking for Pravia's cell phone and laptop computer, which were missing from his apartment." Other valuable items in the apartment, such as Josephine Madonna's jewelry, were not taken.
While preliminary results from an autopsy were not conclusive, police say there was no sign of forced entry into the apartment and that Pravia was not sexually assaulted.
Friends who spoke to the press and at least one acquaintance who left a comment on this blog were clear about the issue of Kevin Pravia possibly being suicidal -- he wasn't. His high school friend, Kirk Emerson, told the Sun, "He wouldn't do that." An acquaintance who blogged about Pravia's death described Kevin as a "chill ass dude."
A commenter who posted here as Patrick Quinn wrote that "there is absolutely no way that Kevin killed himself. [If] you'd like to know a bit more about one of the most amazing people i've ever known, feel free to email me." [New York Sun and the New York Daily News.]
The unusual manner in which he was killed almost sounds like a serial killer, or a fledgling serial killer in-the-making. The narcissistic serial killers always try to establish a sort of brand name, and this is unique enough that I see the possibility. As a crime of passion the murder weapon doesn't make much sense. I'm also betting the killer took advantage of his inebriation to gain access to the apartment to avoid arousing suspicion and forcing entry. It seems probable that this was someone the victim was acquainted with. I'm positive it was premeditated. Other than that I got nothin'.
Posted 09/02/2008 at 12:33:11 PMNew York Post reporting:
BREAKING NEWS: QUEENS MAN CONFESSES TO KILLING PACE STUDENT
Story developing.
Posted 09/02/2008 at 01:34:51 PMSo I was wrong about the wannabe serial killer theory. It is very apparent that the killer knew the victim in some capacity though, and that he was invited in, possibly due to impaired judgment. Seems to be a premeditated robbery now.
Posted 09/02/2008 at 01:58:01 PMKevin was killed because he was gay.. he was a target. Scenario? gets out of cab drunk near his place.. remembers his roomate is away for the weekend.. gets cruised by guy.. takes him back to his place and they get it on. Drunk Kevin passes out and then murdered... why else would anyone in their right mind bring someone into their home if they didn't know them... certainly not this kid.. it wasn't about drugs but sex... period. He lived with a girl named Madonna.. is just a coincidence? Its sad but this happens a lot.. gay men unfortunately are targets...
Posted 09/03/2008 at 08:52:14 AMIt would appear as though this was just a case of someone being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Union Square isn't necessarily dangerous per se but a person who isn't impaired can probably suss out certain shady characters quite easily whereas as someone who's inebriated and probably quite worn down already (seeing as how it was 5 in the morning) certainly is at a disadvantage. It's not totally uncommon for people to offer drugs in parks, I know some people think this has sexual undertones but it could just as easily could be the promise of some sort of exchange even if the aggressor didn't have any drugs on him. Unfortunately there's little logic to Pravia's situation because he was intoxicated at the time, there could've been any number of reasons for why he invited this man into his apartment that he himself probably couldn't explain. It's really sad, he's definitely not alone, lots of kids party hard in the city without knowing the risk of their actions but if there's anything I learned about New York it's that it really tests your attentiveness and awareness on a day-to-day basis, you have to protect yourself.
Posted 09/04/2008 at 12:02:35 AMSo what if he was gay or straight? He didn't deserve to die like this. Being drunk surely made him use poor judgement but this sicko hopefully will get the death penalty. With luck it won't take ten years to execute this scum. I don't know why people always have to bring some stupid invalid opinion like the victim being gay made him a target. LISTEN FOLKS, anyone is a target drunk or not, women and men. Being street smart and aware of who is around you is how you have to be these days. I remember back in 1980 when I was 19 I was in a parking garage here in Los Angeles alone at night walking to my car when I saw two men walking towards me. I quickly got in my car and nearly ran them down on my way out, I knew they weren't selling me girl scout cookies. This can happen to anyone anywhere. Use compassioon and sensitivity on these blogs, I see way to many mean spritited comments and Karma is a bitch. Be careful how you treat others and what you say.
Posted 09/04/2008 at 11:49:32 AMI agree, this is a case of a person being taken advantage of, there shouldn't be so much focus on to his orientation because that lends parts of the investigation to stigma or discrimination rather. Point is, Pravia was victimized by a killer who appears to show no remorse.
Posted 09/04/2008 at 08:48:33 PMok John Hernik he wasn't killed because he was gay. i was a friend of kevin and sat in class with him for 2 years, he was one of the nicest people i have ever had the opportunity to meet, and he changed my life for the better, he was openly gay. but he was enjoying himself that night got carried away as *ALL* college students do every now and again. and made the mistake to bring a stranger home who happen to be scum of the earth. in his hometown he was considered a step above the rest, if you ask anyone of his former teachers or friends they will say how brilliant and amazing he really was. we all make bad decisions but Jeriome Cancel ruined peoples lives forever, and Kevin had awful judgment that night. Cancel however is a loser and should never see daylight again and i hope he rots in a jail cell for the rest of his life. i pray that kevin is in the hands of god and in a better place. R.I.P Kevin Michael Pravia.
Posted 09/06/2008 at 01:32:19 AM