New York man charged with second-degree murder after girlfriend found unresponsive in her car
Bachmann was remembered at a vigil as a loving mother of three, with her sister saying her death took four lives
A New York man has been charged with second-degree murder after his girlfriend was discovered unresponsive inside her vehicle and subsequently died from her injuries.
The arrest and charges
The Suffolk County Police announced on Sunday, that Michael McHenry, 40, had been arrested and charged in connection with the death of Juliann Bachmann, 30. McHenry was taken into custody at approximately 8:15 p.m. local time on Saturday, 16 May — more than 12 hours after Bachmann was found unresponsive inside her car at a petrol station in Yaphank, New York.
How Bachmann was found
According to a police press release, officers discovered Bachmann injured and unresponsive at approximately 7:25 a.m. on Saturday. She was transported to a hospital in Patchogue, New York, where she was later pronounced dead.
What prosecutors allege
In a criminal complaint obtained by the New York Post, prosecutors alleged that McHenry stabbed Bachmann in the neck and chest whilst she was inside her vehicle, before allegedly dragging her out of the car. Bystanders are said to have called 911 during the attack, but McHenry fled the scene before officers arrived.
A vigil for a mother of three
Friends and family gathered for a vigil on Sunday to remember Bachmann, who was described as a devoted mother of three. Those in attendance confirmed that she and McHenry had been in a relationship.
Her sister Kristen spoke movingly at the vigil, reflecting on what she believed Bachmann had hoped to find in the relationship.
"This guy is somebody that I think she thought she would find some sort of love with," Kristen said, per the Post.
"But he actually took four lives," she added, in a reference to Bachmann and her three children.
Kristen also spoke of the profound personal loss she is grappling with.
"I thought we would grow old together," she said. "I really don't know how to process it all, and I still haven't."
She offered a final tribute to her late sister: "She's going to be looking over each and every one of us, including her babies. She ain't going nowhere."
Arraignment and appeal for information
McHenry was arraigned on Sunday and remanded in custody without bail. Authorities have appealed for anyone with information to contact the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392, or to submit a tip anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.