Accused Mom Killer Says He Still Loves His Slain Ex-Lover: Report

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — The handyman accused of fatally stabbing a Forest Hills mother more than 50 times and stuffing her body in a duffel bag told The New York Daily News that he still has feelings for his ex-lover and isn't responsible for her grisly killing.

"I'm innocent, and I love my girlfriend," David Bonola, 44, told the outlet during an interview on Rikers Island, where he's being held without bail until his trial. "Other news, I don’t know what channel ... that’s not true, all that stuff."

Bonola's plea of innocence comes a couple weeks after he was formally hit with a 13-count indictment over the murder of Orsolya Gaal, a 51-year-old mother-of-two. Officials said the pair had a two-year, off-and-on intimate relationship while Bonola worked as Gaal's handyman.

Leading up to his indictment, the handyman confessed to repeatedly stabbing the married mother in the midst of a fight, according to police and reports.

After allegedly carrying out the grisly killing, Bonola stands accused of stuffing Gaal's lifeless body into a bag and wheeling it to the edge of Forest Park, leaving a trail of blood through the streets of Forest Hills, prosecutors said in the indictment.

When the duffel bag of Gaal's remains were found, police launched an investigation and discovered the alleged murder weapon — a knife — in Bonola's home, according to the DA.

In court documents filed in his case, Bonola also confessed to throwing a backpack with Gaal's laptop and cell phone into the Hudson River — near a spot where the two were supposed to meet for their anniversary — and disposing of all the clothes he wore the day of the murder, The Daily News reported.

During police questioning several days later, Bonola stands accused of making "incriminating statements" and allegedly confessing to "stabbing [Gaal] and moving her body," prosecutors said.

The Queens man could face life in prison if convicted of charges that include murder, burglary, concealment of a human corpse, tampering with physical evidence and a criminal weapons charges, prosecutors said. He is expected to return to court July 7.

"I’m doing my best," Bonola told The Daily News before asking to speak to his lawyer. "This is an open case. I’m still in very serious trouble. This is very terrible. I feel very sad for this person. This is something I never expected, and it’s something I can’t believe."

In a memorial service earlier this month, Gaal was remembered as a caring parent by family members, including her two sons and husband.

Related coverage:

• Slain Forest Hills Mom Remembered As Loving Parent By Family: Report
• Ex-Lover Indicted Over Forest Hills Mom's Grisly Killing: Queens DA
• Accused Mom Killer Held Without Bail As Grisly Details Emerge: Report
• This Clue Helped Cops Find Forest Hills Mom's Suspected Killer: Report
• Ex-Lover Confessed To Forest Hills Mom's Murder: Police, Reports