Florida Man Indicted in 2009 Cold Case Murder of His Uncle in Queens

by
May 30, 2024

QUEENS, NY—Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced the indictment and arraignment of Anthony Scalici, 41, from Boynton Beach, Florida. Scalici faces a charge of second-degree murder for the 2009 stabbing death of his uncle, Rosario Prestigiacomo, in the latter’s Ridgewood home.

The breakthrough in the 15-year-old case came from forensic genetic genealogy, marking the first instance in New York City where a homicide suspect was identified and apprehended using public genealogy databases. DNA evidence linking Scalici to the crime was obtained from a discarded fork he used, retrieved in Florida this past February, and matched to samples from the crime scene.

District Attorney Katz highlighted the role of the newly formed Cold Case Unit in solving such long-standing cases. “This case is an example of the perseverance and determination of the investigators on this, and every cold case,” Katz stated. She emphasized the collaboration between her office and the NYPD Cold Case Squad in bringing justice to the families affected by such tragedies.

Scalici, who was arraigned in the presence of Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder, has been ordered to return to court on Thursday, July 8. The charge of second-degree murder could lead to a sentence of 25 years to life in prison if he is convicted.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital news organization covering New Jersey, national politics, public policy, public safety, and community affairs. With years of experience reporting on local government, elections, law enforcement, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey, Stilton has built a reputation for delivering timely news, in-depth reporting, and accountability journalism.

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