This year had its share of tragic stories that dominated the local news landscape. Here are the 13 stories that hit the hardest in 2012.
An East Northport man killed his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, before taking his own life in an apparent murder-suicide, police said.
Dead Body Found in Short Beach Car Fire
A body found in the car fire at Short Beach in Nissequogue was so extensively damaged that authorities could not even identify the sex, police said.
Shooting Threat Written on Smithtown West Bathroom Wall
Suffolk County Police were called to Smithtown High School West responding to an alleged threat.
“A student reported that somebody had written a threatening comment in a girl’s bathroom at High School West. The comment stated they were going to shoot up the school on March 9,” Superintendent Edward Ehmann said.
Cops: St. James Man Dumped Corpse in Manorville Hills Park
A St. James man was arrested after disposing a woman's body in the woods at Manorville Hills County Park in February, according to police.
New York State Police have arrested a Smithtown man who was found with digital photos and videos with underage children performing sexual acts, according to police.
Police said the father of a 4-year-old boy abandoned him and fled arresting officers after the man he was riding with got pulled over for driving under the influence of drugs.
According to a statement released by his family, Dr. Jerome Nadler, the man missing since a Labor Day fly-fishing outing, is listed in serious condition at Stony Brook University Hospital.
Two Smithtown men and a Kings Park man were arrested on first-degree robbery charges after punching, kicking and hitting a male victim with a hammer and leaving with his personal belongings in Elmont, according to police.
24 Locals Charged in Operation Heroin Highway
Of the 161 people arrested in a recent heroin bust, 24 were from Smithtown, St. James and Nesconset; more than half of the 41 arrested in the Town of Smithtown.
Motorcyclist Dead Following Monday Morning Accident
A Smithtown mototcyclist was killed after crashing into another vehicle on Landing Avenue in Smithtown. Francis Stanuch of Smithtown was pronounced dead at St. Catherine of Siena Medical Center.
Tree Trimmer Killed in Nissequogue
A South Carolina tree trimmer was killed, according to Suffolk County Police, after a broken limb struck him in the head in Nissequogue.
Man Killed by Train in St. James
Sam Zambuto, spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said train service has returned to normal after the earlier fatality at the St. James Long Island Rail Road Station.
Police: Ex-Smithtown Official Arrested for Buying Heroin
A former Town of Smithtown building inspector was arrested on charges of purchasing heroin, New York State police said.
