A horrifying and deeply unsettling tragedy unfolded in the quiet suburb of Selden, New York, as a 15-year-old boy was arrested and charged in connection with the stabbing of his mother and the murder of his grandmother inside their home.
The brutal incident, which occurred around 9:45 p.m. on a Tuesday evening, has left the community reeling and authorities searching for answers. According to the Suffolk County Police Department, the teenager launched a violent attack on his 36-year-old mother, Vanessa Chendemi, and 56-year-old grandmother, Concetta Chendemi, inside their residence at 802 Old Town Road.
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Despite being stabbed multiple times, Vanessa miraculously managed to escape the home. Bleeding and in desperate need of help, she fled onto the street and flagged down a bystander, who quickly brought her to safety. Both Vanessa and Concetta managed to call 911, alerting emergency responders to the dire situation.
When officers arrived at the home, they discovered a grisly scene. Concetta Chendemi was found inside the residence with multiple stab wounds. Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant.
Vanessa, though seriously wounded, was transported to a local hospital where she remains in stable condition. Medical staff expect her to survive, but she faces not only physical recovery, but the deep emotional scars left by such a traumatic and senseless act.
In the wake of the attack, the teenage suspect fled the scene, triggering an extensive manhunt. K-9 units and police canvassed the surrounding area, and approximately an hour later, they located the boy near the intersection of Dare Road and Buckskin Lane, roughly a third of a mile from the home.
He was taken into custody without further incident. During the investigation, authorities recovered two chefs’ knives, which they believe were used in the attack.
According to Detective Lieutenant Kevin Beyrer of the Suffolk County Homicide Squad, “The knives were recovered at the scene just west of us.” The discovery of the weapons may provide critical evidence as investigators work to piece together what led to the deadly confrontation.
Police revealed that the motive behind the attack may have stemmed from an argument related to something on the teenager’s computer. While details remain scarce, Det. Lt. Beyrer said, “Looks like it was an argument over some content on his computer,” though he declined to elaborate further, citing the sensitive nature of the case and the suspect’s age.
Due to his status as a minor, authorities have withheld the suspect’s name, but confirmed that he is being charged with second-degree murder and attempted murder. He is expected to be arraigned later today, with legal proceedings to follow in accordance with juvenile justice protocols.
Depending on how the case develops, the boy may face adult charges due to the severity of the crime. Neighbors in the area are in shock, struggling to comprehend how such a tragedy could occur in what is usually a peaceful neighborhood. DJ Cortez, a nearby resident, told reporters, “I can’t even imagine what that family is going through right now. It’s terrible.”
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this harrowing event, support is pouring in for the victims. Many are calling for increased mental health support for youth, particularly as digital influences and isolation continue to impact young people in profound ways.
Law enforcement and social services are now tasked not only with delivering justice, but with understanding the deeper issues that led to such violence in a family home.
The Chendemi family now faces an unimaginable reality—a mother fighting for her life, a grandmother gone too soon, and a teenager at the center of a crime that will haunt those connected to it for years to come. The investigation remains ongoing.
