Two Cousins Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide After Bitter Argument Over Sale of Family Home Shocks Quiet Queens Neighborhood
A quiet block in Jamaica, Queens, was shaken to its core last week when two cousins were found dead inside their family home in what police believe was a tragic murder-suicide. The heartbreaking incident, which unfolded in the early hours of October 3, left neighbors stunned and a family shattered after what authorities say began as a heated dispute over the sale of the very house where they grew up.
According to the New York Police Department, officers were called to the two-story blue home after reports of gunshots around 10 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered one man, aged 37, dead from a gunshot wound to the head. Nearby, his 41-year-old cousin was found critically injured, also suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite being rushed to a local hospital, he was later pronounced dead. Police recovered a firearm near the older man’s body, leading investigators to suspect he shot his cousin before turning the gun on himself.
The NYPD has not publicly released the names of the victims pending notification of family members, but relatives have confirmed to local media that the two men were cousins deeply involved in the sale of their late family’s property. The home, valued at roughly $600,000, had reportedly been listed for about a month. Sources close to the family told the New York Post that the cousins had clashed repeatedly over how to divide the proceeds. The older cousin, who had power of attorney due to his real estate background, was managing the process, while the younger cousin had assisted with upkeep and viewings. What began as a routine family matter soon became a point of tension — one that would end in tragedy.
Family members said the situation escalated after a series of arguments about money. The uncle of the two men, who lived in the basement of the home, is believed to have discovered the first body after becoming concerned when he heard no movement upstairs. He later told authorities that he feared the shooter stayed in the house for hours before taking his own life. “They were like brothers. Nobody could imagine this,” one family member told reporters, describing the pair as close but increasingly stressed over the property sale.
Police sources also said that earlier in the day, relatives had grown worried after one of the cousins failed to answer calls or pick up his child. A wellness check was reportedly requested, but officers did not initially enter the home. It was only after family members managed to get inside that the true horror was discovered. Moments later, another gunshot rang out, believed to be the fatal self-inflicted wound.
The tight-knit neighborhood is struggling to come to terms with what happened. Neighbors who had known the family for decades described them as quiet, hardworking people who had lived in the area for generations. “You never think something like this could happen on your street,” one resident said. “They were good people. It’s just so sad that a home full of memories became the scene of something like this.”
Police continue to investigate but have confirmed they are treating the case as an apparent murder-suicide. Detectives are piecing together the events that led up to the shooting, including reviewing financial documents and phone records. While there is no indication of outside involvement, the NYPD said the case will remain open until all forensic results are confirmed.
As investigators work to close the file, the family is left grappling with unthinkable grief — and a home that has now become a symbol of loss. A property once tied to generations of family memories has turned into the scene of heartbreak. Friends and relatives say they hope the story serves as a reminder of how financial stress can divide even the closest families, urging others to seek mediation before disputes spiral out of control.
For the community, the tragedy has left behind haunting questions about how quickly anger can eclipse love, and how a home meant to bring people together could end up tearing them apart.
