Tragedy struck a home in Somers, New York, on August 5 when a cancer doctor shot and killed her baby and then herself in an apparent murder-suicide. Dr. Krystal Cascetta, 40, was a prominent physician in New York City. The motive behind the shooting is unclear.
Though police have released very few details, New York State Trooper Steven Nevel did confirm to NBC News that the shooting was a murder-suicide. A 911 call came from someone inside Cascetta's home after they heard the first gunshot. That person found a heartbreaking scene: both the mother and her 4-month-old baby dead.
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Cascetta's husband was reportedly not home at the time of the shooting.
The Daily Mail reported that Tim Talty, 37, was away from the couple's home when his wife and baby died. Cascetta's parents were purportedly at the home.
Neighbors allege that police had responded to calls at the house in the past. Neighbor Bob Stuart, 71, claimed police had visited the home multiple times this summer.
"They had ambulances and police come to their house two, maybe three times this summer. At least twice," Stuart said, per the New York Post.
The family was reportedly extremely private.
Neighbors claimed that although the family had lived in their home for a few years, they barely knew Cascetta and Talty. Some even said they had no idea she was pregnant with the baby, reportedly born in March.
Brad Stuart, 47, Bob Stuart's son, said the couple kept their lives private.
"They're very nice people, very pleasant, and they moved in about two years ago, and I've seen them maybe twice since then," he told the New York Post regarding Cascetta and her husband.
Talty owns Talty Bar, an energy-bar company.
According to the Talty Bar website, the bars were 'doctor approved' by Cascetta.
"It's because Dr. Krystal Cascetta knows what's good for you! A fierce advocate for the health of women, Dr. Cascetta is a board certified Hematologist and Medical Oncologist in New York City, specializing in breast cancer," the Talty Bar website claims. "She's also board-certified in Hematology, Medical Oncology, and Internal Medicine. Krystal received her medical degree from Albany Medical College, where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society for demonstrating excellence in humanistic clinical care, leadership, compassion, and dedication to service."
Cascetta had an impressive resume.
Mount Sinai Hospital boasted on its website about Cascetta and her multiple accomplishments. She was an assistant professor of medicine with the division of hematology and medical oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She also served as site chief at the Mount Sinai Queens Infusion Center, a cancer and blood disorder treatment center. In a since-deleted post on its website, Mount Sinai praised Cascetta.
"Dr. Cascetta is an active investigator of breast cancer clinical trials. Her clinical focus includes the treatment of breast cancer, gynecologic cancer, sarcoma and gastrointestinal cancers," the post read. "She works closely with her colleagues in Surgical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Pathology and Internal Medicine in order to provide comprehensive and integrated care to the community."
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Her death came as a shock to the medical community.
"OMG I [am] absolutely devastated hearing this about Krystal Cascetta. She was my friend at Albany Med and residency. I always looked up to her," Eri Barr wrote on Facebook. Barr also shared a meme with the caption, "MEDICINE RUINS YOU."
In a statement obtained by NBC News, a Mount Sinai health representative expressed the organization's sympathy for Cascetta's family.
"The Mount Sinai community is greatly saddened by the tragic loss of a Mount Sinai Health System doctor and her child. We extend our deepest sympathies to Dr. Cascetta's family, friends, colleagues, and patients," the representative shared in the statement.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
