On Thursday, Newsday reporter Cecilia Dowd talked with Michael Valva's new court-appointed attorney, John LoTurco, who said Thomas Valva's death from hypothermia in an unheated garage was a tragic accident.


Long Island

Crime

Thomas Valva's father is 'emotionally distraught' over son's death, lawyer says

Newsday

Lawyer: Thomas Valva's father is 'emotionally distraught' over son's death

Most Popular

Latest videos

Crime video slot

Andrew Dykes, 66, has been indicted for the 1997 murder of Tanya Jackson, whose killing was a mystery for nearly 30 years. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

'A violent and horrifying act of violence'

Smithtown Councilman Thomas Lohmann pleaded not guilty to assaulting fellow councilman and Deputy Supervisor Thomas J. McCarthy. NewsdayTV's Jill Wagner reports.

Lohmann is accused of punching McCarthy

Town of Smithtown video footage shows an argument erupting between councilmen Tom McCarthy and Thomas Lohmann at the end of Tuesday's town council session after Lohmann allegedly assaulted McCarthy in the executive session, which was closed to the public. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Tensions erupt between councilmen at Smithtown Town Board meeting

A combination of turning to the public and the FBI for help, and using cutting-edge DNA technology helped investigators finally identify Rex Heuermann as the prime suspect in the Gilgo Beach serial murders. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has the story.

How investigators cracked the Gilgo Beach murders case

Sign up for The Gilgo Case newsletter

Gilgo Newsletter Widget

It's the second time in five months the same facility was targeted.

Police: Woman stole $19,000 worth of silver from Melville FedEx

Crime Article Bottom Module

The county repeatedly told the state it has a "high number of less experienced staff."

Suffolk's child abuse, neglect deaths reached a 10-year high. CPS still struggles to improve.

Advocates have asked the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to take on the Patchogue case to spotlight what they say are ongoing abuses of Latino immigrants.

LI hate crime killing may be investigated by human rights panel

Police said there was no threat to the school at any time.

Juvenile arrested after firearm discovered at a Baldwin high school

The Nassau County District Attorney's Office agreed to reduce the murder charge against Reymon Rodriguez to two counts of second-degree attempted murder and criminal weapons possession in exchange for his guilty plea.

LI man sentenced to 9 years in prison for fatal 2023 shooting of Bronx teacher

Mitchell Johnson, 38, of Farmingville, apologized for his actions, but maintained he didn't force the victim to have sex for money and he didn't profit from it.

LI man declares 'I'm not a pimp' before judge sentences him to prison for sex trafficking

The judge said the charges against James Burke will be dismissed if he avoids further brushes with the law in the next six months.

Indecent exposure, public lewdness charges against disgraced ex-Suffolk police chief to be dismissed

Crime Video Playlist

A Syosset teen and his dad face multiple charges after the discovery of a swastika at a high school led police to find rocket-making chemicals at their home, officials said. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

'Pretty scary'

Former Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart spoke with Newsday following Rex Heuermann's guilty plea.

'It was such a monumental important day'

Suffolk DA Ray Tierney and Richard Zacarese, chief investigator for the Suffolk DA's Office, sat down with Newsday to discuss the Gilgo case.

'We just kept following each lead, each piece of evidence'

Authorities are seeking a driver who has been "deliberately striking" geese this month with a white Jeep Grand Cherokee.

White Jeep seen hitting geese in Suffolk

Carmine G. Agnello, of Oyster Bay, had tried to use a potential organ donation to his mother to avoid prison after his conviction in the loan scheme. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

15 months for fraud

A 17-year-old from Westbury is facing charges after a deadly shooting at Eisenhower Park. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa reports.

15-year-old boy shot to death, 2 others injured

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney sat down with Newsday's Doug Geed following Rex A. Heuermann's guilty plea in court.

'The thing that really struck me was the duality of it'

Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex A. Heuermann is set to appear in a Riverhead courtroom Wednesday morning, where he's expected to plead guilty to the murders of seven women over a span of decades, Newsday courts reporter Grant Parpan has the story.

'We should have answers'

Rex A. Heuermann pleaded guilty to the murders of seven women and admitted to killing an eighth woman during a court hearing in Riverhead Wednesday. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

'Justice has finally found its way'

Attorney for Asa Ellerup, the ex-wife of accused Gilgo killer Rex Heuermann, spoke in response to the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Gilgo Beach victim, Valerie Mack. NewsdayTV's Doug Geed reports.

'No evidence that implicates them'

Alleged Gilgo killer Rex Heuermann is expected to plead guilty. Newsday Suffolk courts reporter Grant Parpan, a legal expert and a neighbor discuss the case.

'Why he's doing it, only he knows'

Family members of the victims tell Newsday they have been notified that alleged serial killer Rex A. Heuermann is expected to plead guilty next month.

Heuermann expected to plead guilty

Homepage Trending

War in Iran latest

Newsday investigations

LI's Dangerous Roads

Newsday TV shorts

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits a recycling facility in Brookhaven and learns how to separate trash from treasure.

LI Works: Ken gets down and dirty at a recycling facility

NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger looks at how Long Island shopping malls are transitioning into experience-based retail stores that can't be replicated online.

Open-air formats are reshaping LI's mall industry in push to survive

The judge showed no mercy to the 36-year-old Guy Rivera, who was convicted of killing Diller during a street shooting in Far Rockaway. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports.

Man who fatally shot NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller from LI sentenced to 115 years to life

Newsday's Doug Geed shows us some interesting roadside attractions you will see on your drive Out East.

Out East: Oddities and curiosities you'll want to see on your road trip

The exhibition barnstorming baseball team put on a show in the Bronx, and a pitcher from Long Island made an appearance. Newsday sports' Matt Lindsay reports.

Savannah Bananas take over Yankee Stadium

From painting on the harbor to dining at the hotel, Newsday travel writer Carissa Kellman has your guide to visiting Northport's main street.

Main Street staycation: Explore Northport's restaurants, shops and more

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano gets a preview of Circus Vazquez, which will be at Smith Haven Mall through May 11.

'There's no bad seat in the tent'

Peacock's fourth episode of "The Gilgo Beach Killer: House of Secrets" possibly explains the "secrets" of Rex Heuermann. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

Peacock documentary exposes new details on Gilgo killings

What is mish salad? Newsday food writer Andi Berlin visited Chateau Coffee Shop in Woodmere to find out.

The mish salad: A Five Towns classic

In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, NewsdayTV's Shari Einhorn shares her personal story.

NewsdayTV reporter Shari Einhorn details cancer battle: 'My diagnosis completely threw me for a loop'

<a href="https://www.newsday.com/video/newsdaytv-top-stories">Get more on these and other NewsdayTV stories</a>

Newsday TV

NewsdayTV Top Item

Newsday Investigates: Suffolk CPS struggles ... Picture This: Facing the Gilgo Killer ... What's up on LI ... H.S. plays of the week ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

Newsday Investigates: Suffolk CPS struggles ... Picture This: Facing the Gilgo Killer ... What's up on LI ... H.S. plays of the week

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

Crime - megaslot

Follow crime and courts news in Nassau and Suffolk, including incidents reported in your neighborhood, trial coverage, sentencings and more.

Stay logged in.