Holly MatkinQueens, NY – New York police announced on Tuesday that they have arrested Orsolya Gaal’s former handyman in connection with her gruesome murder.
Sources said Gaal, 51, had previously had an affair with 44-year-old handyman David Bonola, the New York Post reported.
It is unclear when that relationship ended.
New York police confirmed Bonola, who has no prior criminal history, was arrested on charges of murder, criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal tampering early Thursday morning, according to the New York Daily News.
Investigators said Bonola admitted he had an affair with the married mother-of-two, and that he’d murdered her after an argument at her home in the early-morning hours of April 16.
He allegedly left his blood-soaked boots at the scene, the New York Post reported.
The medical examiner determined Gaal suffered “sharp force wounds” in the deadly attack, leaving her with nearly 60 stab wounds to her neck, arm, and torso, the New York Post reported.
She also suffered blunt-force trauma to her head and had multiple cuts on her hands and fingers.
David Bonola – He knew the family and their home, be careful who you trust and have relationships with. Emotion overtakes ppl. No excuse to kill.
Here In New York #OrsolyaGaal pic.twitter.com/s8KSF85r9R
— R🌹sanna Jacks🌻n Wright🦉_ART (@RosannaWright) April 21, 2022
Police sources said Gaal, whose children are 13 and 17, spent the evening of April 15 out with friends in Manhattan, according to the New York Post.
After going to a show at Lincoln Center, Gaal parted ways with her friends and went to a bar near her Forest Hills home, WCBS reported.
She sat alone at the bar for approximately 40 minutes and appeared to be waiting for someone, but ultimately left by herself and went home, according to the news outlet.
Gaal’s younger son was at the house all night, but her husband, Howard Klein, and their 17-year-old son were in Portland looking at universities, the New York Post reported.
Law enforcement sources previously said they believed someone Gaal knew came into the home through the back door during the night.
They noted there were no signs of forced entry, and that the viciousness of the attack indicated the fatal stabbing was personal and committed by someone who was angry at her, the New York Post reported.
Police also previously noted Bonola worked as a handyman at the family’s home in the past and knew where the family kept a spare key to the house.
He had extensive knowledge about the residence, according to police.
BREAKING 🚨🚨An arrest has been made in the murder of a Queens woman who was stabbed just about 60 time and stuffed into a duffel bag. Police arrest 44 yr old David Bonola pic.twitter.com/l6wEFjf04j
— Matt Martin (@r8dermatt1123) April 21, 2022
Sources said the wounds on Gaal’s body indicated she fought back against her attacker until the very end, according to WCBS.
The killer then stuffed Gaal’s body into a large hockey duffel bag and dragged it out the side door of the home, the New York Post reported.
Security footage from a nearby residence showed a shadowy figure dragging the duffel bag down the sidewalk approximately four blocks away from the victim’s home at about 4:30 a.m. on Saturday.
Glenn Van Nostrand said he was out walking his dog near Jackie Robinson Parkway and Metropolitan Avenue at approximately 8 a.m. when he stumbled upon the duffel bag lying next to the sidewalk, the New York Post reported.
Van Nostrand said he initially thought someone had stuffed a mannequin inside.
When he looked closer, he realized it was a woman’s body and immediately called police, the New York Post reported.
Investigators said they found a trail of blood leading from the bag back to Gaal’s home, according to WCBS.
Officers entered the house and found Gaal’s 13-year-old son upstairs, the New York Post reported.
The boy allegedly told police he had no idea where his mother was.
He was taken into custody and questioned before being released later the same day, the New York Post reported.
Police said they ruled him out as a suspect, according to WCBS.
Sources said Klein received a terrifying text message after his wife’s murder, warning him that “Your whole family is next,” WPIX reported.
Klein previously reported his wife as missing after she went out for a walk at approximately 12:30 a.m. on May 29, 2020, and never came home, the New York Post reported.
He contacted police approximately seven hours later, but Gaal returned home about 30 minutes after he placed the call.
