Apparent Suicide, Attempted Murder of Mother And Daughter In New City

Clarkstown Police found 45-year-old Dr. Victoria Vovchik dead in her Quarry Drive home Thursday afternoon and her seven-year-old daughter was discovered with multiple lacerations. Police received a call from Dr. Kristappa Sangavaram at 1:09 p.m. that there was a possible suicide victim in the house.  Sgt. Jo Anne Fratianni said Sangavaram, 69, had been questioned by police and released. The girl, whose name was not released, is being treated and undergoing surgery at Westchester Medical Center for lacerations to her body. 

Fratianni said when police arrived the three people were in the house. She did not release what the relationship was between them. Fratianni said the investigation is ongoing into what type of weapon was used.  The bodies of Vovchik, a podiatrist with a practice in Fort Lee, NJ, and the girl, who reported to be conscious, were found in the master bedroom. Vovchik’s body also had lacerations.  The Rockland County Medical Examiner will determine the cause and time of death. 

The girl attended Woodglen Elementary School.  Clarkstown School Board President Joe Malgieri said the school would be ready to help students deal with the news.

“We’ll have our crisis team there first thing in the morning,” he said, adding other schools will be prepared if their students need support. 

Fratianni said Vovchik’s mother had been notified of the death.  Late Thursday afternoon Clarkstown police cars still blocked access to the affluent neighborhood in northern New City. There had been two prior reports of alarm activations at the house including a larceny.