A tragic murder-suicide in Queens has exposed a history of domestic violence and left a local arts community in mourning.
The sudden and violent death of Mary Kate Golding, a prominent television set designer, has sent shockwaves through the New York television industry and the Astoria neighborhood. Beyond the immediate horror of the crime, the tragedy has turned a spotlight on the devastating patterns of domestic abuse and a dark family history of violence that followed her husband, Joseph Azzaretto, from Pennsylvania to New York. As investigators piece together the final hours of the couple's lives, the community is left grappling with the loss of a talented artist and the chilling reality of a family cycle of extreme violence.
WHAT HAPPENED
On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, police made a gruesome discovery in Astoria, Queens. Officers responding to a 911 call at approximately 12:30 a.m. entered a basement apartment on 41st Street near 19th Avenue. Inside, they found 34-year-old Mary Kate Golding dead with a fatal stab wound to her back. The weapon was still lodged in her body.
Left entirely alone in the apartment with Golding's body was the couple's 11-month-old son, Nolan.
According to law enforcement sources, Golding's husband, 33-year-old Joseph Azzaretto, allegedly stabbed his wife during a heated argument. Following the attack, Azzaretto fled the scene in a minivan. He reportedly made phone calls to a family member and to a close friend of Golding, confessing to the killing. According to law enforcement sources, Azzaretto told them, "I killed her," before ending the calls. The friend rushed to the apartment, discovered the horrific scene, and rescued the infant from the room.
Approximately six hours after the initial police response, officers located Azzaretto's body hanging from a tree in nearby Astoria Park, in an apparent suicide.
As investigators dug into Azzaretto's background, they uncovered a history of extreme domestic violence within his immediate family. In 2020, Azzaretto's younger brother, Nicholas Azzaretto, was arrested in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, for shooting and killing their 58-year-old father, Frank Azzaretto, during a domestic dispute. Nicholas later pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter.
Neighbors in Astoria reported that the couple had moved to the basement apartment from Pennsylvania just two months prior. During their short time in the neighborhood, residents noted that Azzaretto exhibited highly volatile and aggressive behavior, frequently arguing over parking spaces and leaving threatening notes on cars. One neighbor told reporters, "He always seemed angry."
Key Facts of the Case:
- Victim: Mary Kate Golding, 34, a well-known assistant set decorator in the New York television industry.
- Suspect: Joseph Azzaretto, 33, who died by suicide in Astoria Park hours after the stabbing.
- Crime Scene: A basement apartment on 41st Street near 19th Avenue in Astoria, Queens.
- Survivor: The couple's 11-month-old son, Nolan, who was found physically unharmed at the scene.
- Family History: Azzaretto's brother was convicted of killing their father in Pennsylvania in 2020.
WHY IT MATTERS
This tragedy has deeply affected the New York arts community, where Golding was a respected professional. She had built a successful career as an assistant set decorator and buyer, working on major television and film productions such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Goosebumps, and the film Marry Me. Colleagues remembered her as "a kind, generous, and incredibly gifted set decorator who made every production better."
The case also highlights the insidious nature of domestic violence and the generational trauma that can accompany it. The revelation of Azzaretto's family history—specifically his brother's conviction for killing their father—underscores how patterns of extreme violence can manifest across generations. For advocates of domestic abuse prevention, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for early intervention and the potential warning signs of volatile behavior in local communities.
However, some experts caution against assuming that Azzaretto's family history directly explains the killing. They note that investigators have not concluded that the earlier family tragedy caused this attack, and domestic violence specialists emphasize that each case has its own circumstances. Authorities are continuing to investigate what led to the fatal confrontation.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner will conduct official autopsies to determine the exact cause and manner of death for both Golding and Azzaretto.
The couple's 11-month-old son, Nolan, is currently safe and has been placed in the care of family members. Social services and family court will likely determine long-term custody arrangements for the child.
Meanwhile, the New York Police Department is continuing its investigation into the couple's past. Detectives are looking into whether there were previous, unreported incidents of domestic disputes or violence at the couple's Astoria residence or during their previous time living in Pennsylvania.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- Were there any documented domestic violence calls or interventions involving the couple during their time living in Pennsylvania?
- Did colleagues or friends of Mary Kate Golding observe any warning signs of abuse or fear prior to the fatal incident?
- What specific resources or support systems will be made available to assist the couple's surviving child as he grows up?
SOURCE NOTE
This story draws on reporting from the New York Post.