Mom dumped in son's hockey bag allegedly had affair with handyman accused of killing her: Police

Orsolya Gaal, 51, was stabbed dozens of times, according to police.

April 21, 2022, 11:32 PM

A New York City mother found stabbed to death inside a duffel bag was allegedly killed by a handyman she'd been having an off-and-on affair with for two years, the NYPD said.

The suspect, David Bonola, was arrested just before 1 a.m. Thursday, days after he allegedly dumped Orsolya Gaal's body in her son's hockey bag, police said at a news conference Thursday.

Bonola, 44, allegedly stabbed 51-year-old Gaal dozens of times at her Queens home early Saturday morning while her 13-year-old son was upstairs, according to police sources.

He was arraigned and remanded into custody late Thursday night.

Police at the scene where a duffel bag with the body of Orsolya Gaal was found in Kew Gardens, Queens in New York, April 16, 2022.
WABC

Police described it as a domestic dispute, saying "their relationship was considered at an end."

After the murder, police believe Bonola sent a text message to Gaal’s husband from her phone that referenced a previous crime and indicated the rest of the family was in danger. Police said there was no past crime and no danger to Gaal’s husband and two children.

A man identied as David Bonola is led by police officer after his arrest for the murder of Orsolya Gaal, on April 21, 2022 in New York City. Gaal was found dead in Kew Gardens, Queens in New York, on April 16, 2022.
ABC News

Authorities said Bonola was seen on video rolling the duffel bag, leaving a bloody trail behind him.

After disposing of the body, Bonola allegedly fled through a park, where police said they found his jacket.

Gaal's body was found Saturday morning.

Bonola turned himself in Wednesday night after officers canvassed his Queens neighborhood, according to police sources. He's charged with murder, criminal tampering and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the NYPD.

NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said Bonola "made incriminating statements" but he didn't elaborate.

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