By Karen Frantz
A Richmond Hill woman was found stabbed to death in her home Thursday, her head covered with a plastic bag and her body stuffed under a bed, police said.
The woman, Samantha Seelall, 29, was pronounced dead by the EMS at the house, near 89th Avenue and 117th Street, after police received a 911 call around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, authorities said.
Her husband, Ganesh Seelall, 39, was arrested and charged with her murder, aggravated criminal contempt, tampering with evidence and criminal possession of a weapon, police said. Seelall was allegedly drunk when police arrived at the scene, according to authorities.
The husband’s brother, who did not want to give his name, said the couple was married about six years and had one 10-year-old daughter together. He said Ganesh Seelall is a nurse’s aid and also has another 14-year-old daughter from a previous relationship.
“It’s not an easy situation,” he said, saying he was at work when he got the phone call about what happened.
He said the children were staying with him. “They’re holding up,” he said.
Residents who live on the block said they were shocked to hear about the murder in what they said was a quiet and nice neighborhood.
“We’ve never seen anything happen like that,” said Tehal Singh, who lives across the street and said he had lived in the area for 20 years.
Another woman who lived across the street, Emma Vasileva, said she was afraid of being in the neighborhood now.
“I couldn’t sleep the whole night,” she said.
She said she did not know the Seelalls, but she saw the body taken out of the house and was suffering from stomach pains thinking about it.
Reach reporter Karen Frantz by e-mail at kfrantz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
