North Haven Murder Case Still Active; Insurance Policy Motive Ruled Out

By Kelly Carroll | 1 Comment

The view of the Burke residence at 36 Payne Avenue in North Haven obstructed by large trees that flank the property. Photos by Kelly Carroll

North Haven - Despite the fact that two months have passed since the murder of 100-year-old Jessie Burke at her home in North Haven, police investigating the murder have said the unsolved case has not gone cold.

"This particular case is still active," asserted Suffolk County Homicide Det. Lt. Jack Fitzpatrick on Thursday. "There is a Cold Case Division [here] but I wouldn't consider sending it there."

According to Det. Lt. Fitzpatrick, there are no specific parameters among police departments as to when a case has officially gone cold, though most would say that a lack of new leads would be a big factor. As long as police are still working on it, Det. Lt. Fitzpatrick said, a case is still active.

Colin Astarita, defense attorney hired by Jean Burke, has indicated the
insurance policy on Jessie Burke has been ruled out as a motive in the murder.

Jessie Burke was found by her daughter, Margaret "Jean" Burke, shot dead in the house they shared on Payne Avenue after she came home from running errands on Sunday, Aug. 31. Jean Burke was taken in for questioning by police following the murder, but has since returned to the home, seemingly free from any further police scrutiny or surveillance.

Since then, residents in the community have voiced concern over the little evidence of police presence in their neighborhood following the murder, since no arrest has been made and the perpetrator remains on the loose. While police have said little about the reasons for not increasing patrols in the area, Sag Harbor Mayor Greg Ferraris indicated in October that police have assured him that the murder was an "isolated incident."

Though he couldn't speak specifically regarding the Burke case, Det. Lt. Fitzpatrick mentioned that the Homicide Department receives calls "all the time" regarding cases, some helpful and some not. Colin Astarita, a Southampton village-based attorney who was hired by Jean Burke shortly after the murder to represent her, indicated Thursday that he recently received a call from what he described as a "loony toon" regarding the case. When the caller told Astarita he had information on the murder, Astarita said he advised him to call the police.

New information surrounding the case has emerged, however, according to Astarita, who recounted the existence of an insurance policy on Jessie Burke. Speculation around the case projected that a family member in need of money could have killed the centenarian under those motives. However, Astarita said that due to the value of the policy, which was in the amount of $4,000, he is able to confirm a financial motive to collect on the insurance is ruled out as all of the funds were used in the cremation and funeral arrangements the family made on behalf of their slain family member.

As weeks pass, there is no way of telling when an arrest will be made in this case, or even what leads the Suffolk County Homicide Division is pursuing. According to Det. Lt. Fitzpatrick, notifications of any advancement or arrest in the case will solely be circulated through a press release.

Jessie Burke was found by her daughter, Margaret "Jean" Burke, shot dead in the house they shared on Payne Avenue after she came home from running errands on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Comments

NorthHavenRes from North Haven says:
Are any of the family members questioning the police and the progress being made (or should I say lack of process). It seems not one family member has spoken out on the fact it has been two months without a suspect. If one of my family members were to be "murdered" I would do anything possible to catch the killer. As for the North Haven residents, are they to still believe there is a murderer in our neighborhood? If it's an isolated incident, as police are saying, why can't they catch the murderer? This is pathetic especially with the immediate family members lack of interest.