A murder investigation that began in the Putnam County hamlet of Mahopac ended in West Harrison, where, several days later, the alleged suspect was found dead in a parking lot from a self-inflicted gunshot.
Harrison police found Filippo Buffone, 69, dead in the parking lot of Silver Lake Mutual Society near his house on Park Avenue on May 2. The Carmel Police Department, which conducted the murder investigation in Mahopac, believe Buffone was responsible for the shooting of his son’s mother-in-law, Perla Gatchalian. Carmel police Chief Michael Cazzari said in a press conference after Buffone’s death that Gatchalian, 75, lived with her daughter and son-in-law and their children in their home in Mahopac where her body was found in the afternoon of April 27; he connected the homicide to a financial dispute between the in-laws.
“It is believed that the motive is rooted in anger over financial issues,” Cazzari said.
Police had been investigating and searching for evidence in West Harrison several days after the murder before Buffone’s death. They had towed away a car from Park Avenue, and searched through garbage cans, a clothing donation bin and a storm drain on Lake Street.
Ultimately, police found the weapon in a wooded area off of Route 6 in Yorktown on Tuesday, May 2, the day Buffone took his own life.
“Unfortunately, although we had identified him as a suspect within 24 hours of this crime, Filippo Buffone shot and killed himself in the parking lot off Park Avenue near his residence in Harrison, New York,” Cazzari said. “While the investigation is still continuing, there is no indication at this time that anyone else is involved in Mrs. Gatchalian’s death.”
Harrison police had blocked off the scene of Buffone’s suicide around noon, and removed the body soon after. According to state police, family members reported him missing earlier that morning.
Buffone had been a Harrison resident since at least 1970, according to Westchester County land records. He also owned a barbershop in the village of Elmsford and had been a barber for nearly 40 years.
The Carmel Police Department collaborated with Harrison and Yorktown police, as well as the New York state Police Department and the Putnam County sheriff’s office in their investigation, which is still ongoing as of press time.
Carmel Police Lt. John Dearman could not be reached for additional comment as of press time.
