Neighbors Shocked by Yorktown Murder; Investigation Continues

Yorktown police are continuing their investigation and the search for a suspect in Wednesday's murder of 43-year-old Piotr Seweryn. His body was discovered by his wife, Krystyna, at their residence at 3210 Poplar St. at approximately 1 p.m. 

Neighbors were shocked to hear about the murder. Those who knew the family said they were quiet, and the man loved his children.  

Ana Barbosa, who lives right across the street from the residence, described the family as "beautiful people."

"I never see anything wrong," she said of the quiet neighborhood. 

Patricia Campisi, who also lives across the street and has been a resident of Yorktown for 27 years, said they were a "loving family" and she would see the wife walking their dog.

The Seweryns are originally from Poland, and purchased their house in 1999. Their two children, a 15-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter, students in the Lakeland School District, were at school when the murder took place.  

"They are known as the people with the polite kids," neighbor Domenic Duggan said. "They were just a good family."

Duggan said they were always nice to his two children, and would see them walk their Golden Yellow Lab, adopted from the Guiding Eyes for the Blind. He said he was shocked by the murder.

"It just doesn't happen here," he said. 

He said Poplar Street is a quiet street, especially in the morning when everybody is at work, and if it wasn't used as a cut through to town, it would be "completely dead."

Yorktown police spokesman Lt. Kevin Soravilla said there was no sign of a forced entry at the Seweryn home. Soravilla said it appears the killer had a personal motive, and the incident was not a random home invasion or a burglary turned violent. 

"We are pretty sure this is no random act of violence," Soravilla said.

Nothing was taken from the residence, police said. 

Seweryn's wife, Krystyna, was at work when the murder took place. She is a music teacher and an assistant teacher at Our Montessori School in Carmel. According to the school website, she comes from a family of teachers and holds a degree in music teaching from the College of Music Pedagogy in Poland, where she taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades.

Director of the school, Betty Hengst and administrator, Werner Hengst issued a statement saying they knew nothing about the case, except for what they knew through the media.

"Krystyna has worked for us for more that 11 years and we value her as a truly outstanding teacher who cares deeply about the children, who works beautifully with all ages, who gives unstintingly of her time and talent and who is highly respected by all of our staff. We think of her as a treasure, and we are terribly upset about this tragedy that has befallen her and her family."

Piotr Seweryn operated Autocure Inc., a used car dealership, from his home, Soravilla said. His office was in the basement of his home. Police could not say how long the man was dead before his wife discovered him. 

All day, police officers were standing outside the suburban home along Poper Street, and asked people in the quiet neighborhood if they knew anything about the case. 

Police could not comment if there were any suspects in the case. There have been no previous incidents at the house, except for an accidental fire, which police could not confirm when it had occurred. 

Anyone with information can anonymously call the Yorktown Police Department with tips at 914-962-TIPS (914-962-8477).