Handyman charged with grisly murder of Queens woman

Bonola is now facing charges of murder, criminal tampering and criminal possession of a weapon. Gaal, according to police, was stabbed 58 times and her body was stuffed in a duffel bag.

According to the New York Post, Bonola was apprehended by authorities when he returned to the scene of the crime. The NYPD released a statement saying that he "voluntarily came back to the 112th precinct and made incriminating statements,"

Bonola was "a handyman who was employed by Mrs. Gaal," and the pair allegedly had an "intimate" relationship for the past two years," according to the NYPD's James Essig, the Chief of Detectives.

Earlier this month, Chief Julie Morrill, who led the investigation, said that the two rekindled their on again, off again affair, only to break it off once again.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Bonola reportedly dropped by the Gaal home "to speak about the relationship again," said Morrill.

He was either let in, or used a key that was hidden in the barbecue area, according to Essig.

A "heated argument" then ensued, which terminated in Gaal being stabbed "ruthlessly and brutally."

"A heated argument ensues between the two in the basement. A knife is brandished, a violent struggle ensues, resulting in our victim being stabbed ruthlessly and brutally in excess of 55 times, causing her demise," Essig said.

"Bonola then retrieved a hockey bag belonging to Mrs. Gaal’s son, placed her in the bag and — as video showed — was seen rolling the body down the sidewalk, leaving a bloody trail through the streets of Forest Hills," Essig added.

The murderer appeared to have acted alone out of personal motives.

"I just want to assure the public and especially the residents of Forest Hills, that there are no outstanding suspects at this time," Essig said.

The NYPD have also recovered what appears to be the murder weapon, along with a jacket of Bonola's, boots, a t-shirt and bandages, all soaked with blood.

During the investigation, police surmised that Gaal's killer knew her due to there being no signs of a break in at the scene of the crime. Police focused on the handyman, who on numerous occasions left flirtatious comments on Gaal's Facebook posts, suggesting a deeper relationship between the two.

Police said that Gaal's 13-year-old son was upstairs in the house the night that she was murdered. Her husband and 17-year-old son were in Oregon visiting colleges.

Shortly after the murder, Bonola reportedly sent threatening messages to Gaal's husband Howard Klein from her phone, including one warning, "Your whole family is next."

Violent crimes like these have been on the rise in the New York City area since the start of the pandemic.