Merrick woman found dead in home died of asphyxiation, cops say

Nassau police are investigating the slaying of a Merrick woman who was found bound inside her home.

The victim's father called police Wednesday night after discovering the body in bed in an upstairs room, police said.

Suzanne Goldfarb, 48, who lived alone and worked as a nanny, died of asphyxiation, Nassau chief of detectives Kevin Smith said Thursday.

"There is an indication that she had been bound," he said, declining to elaborate.

Goldfarb last talked to her Manhattan parents about 8 p.m. Tuesday, when she declined their dinner invitation, Smith said. The next day, the father became concerned when he couldn't reach her.

"He hadn't heard from her in a while. Apparently they spoke a lot. They were close," Smith said.

Goldfarb, who was dead when police arrived, may have known her killer, Smith said. The windows to the Smith Street rental cottage were closed, the doors were locked and there were no signs of a struggle or forced entry.

Detectives are looking into the possibility that "this person responsible may have been granted entry into the house" or had a key, Smith said.

"We are just now in a numb state of shock," a family member said Thursday, declining to comment further.

Jack Accardi, who lives in an apartment on the property, told News 12 Long Island he didn't hear anything suspicious Wednesday night.

"I'm 30 yards away, and I couldn't protect her," he said.

Doug Gerber, 55, who owns a deli across the street, said Goldfarb, a customer, was a "nice woman" who he had last seen a few days ago.

Police said Goldfarb had lived in the home for about five years. There is no history of police calls to the house or problems with burglaries or robberies in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477. All calls will remain confidential.