A Devastating Discovery in Astoria

A young mother was found stabbed to death inside her Queens apartment early Tuesday morning, and just hours later, her husband was discovered dead in a nearby park in what investigators believe was a murder-suicide.

The Initial Discovery

Mary Kate Golding, 34, was found stabbed in the back inside her home on 41st Street near 19th Avenue in Astoria around 12:30 a.m., according to police. Her husband, Joseph Azzaretto, 33, was found roughly six hours later hanging from a tree in nearby Astoria Park.

A Child Left Behind

According to sources, the couple’s 11-month-old son, Nolan, was left alone in the home with his mother after she was killed. A friend of Golding’s arrived and discovered the scene after Azzaretto reportedly called her and confessed to the killing. A neighbor described the friend as screaming upon finding the child and immediately removing him from the apartment.

A Confession Before the End

Investigators believe an argument between the couple earlier that night may be connected to what followed. According to law enforcement sources, Azzaretto fled the scene in a minivan after the stabbing and confessed to the killing during a phone call with a family member, who then alerted authorities. By the time officers responded and found Golding dead, with the weapon still at the scene, Azzaretto had already driven to Astoria Park, where he was later found dead.

A Troubling Family History

Sources noted that violence has appeared elsewhere in Azzaretto’s family history, pointing to his brother, who was convicted years earlier in connection with the death of their father in Pennsylvania.

New to the Neighborhood

According to a nearby business employee, the couple had only recently relocated to their Astoria apartment from Pennsylvania, having moved roughly two months prior to the tragedy. Golding, a graduate of NYU, had built a career in the film industry as an assistant set decorator, working on productions including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Goosebumps. Azzaretto had also worked within the film industry.

Neighbors Describe Concerning Behavior

Multiple neighbors described troubling patterns of behavior from Azzaretto in the time leading up to the tragedy, characterizing him as volatile and unpredictable. One neighbor recalled an incident involving a physical altercation with repossession agents over his vehicle, while another described ongoing concerns about his temperament since the couple moved into the area.

A Community Left Shaken

The tragedy has left neighbors and loved ones grappling with the sudden loss of both parents, while the couple’s infant son is now left without either parent following the events of that night.

Source: Compiled from various sources