Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Pace Student's Murderer was "Bored"


By

Jen Chung

Published Oct 16, 2008

Modified Oct 16, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Chung

Published Oct 16, 2008

Modified Oct 16, 2008


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The Post has detalis of the chilling confession made by Jeromie Cancel, the 22-year-old who killed a Pace student in late August. According to Cancel, he was smoking with one hand while "pulling tight on the electrical cord around his victim's neck with the other"--all while watching Saw on DVD.

Cancel had met Kevin Pravia, 19, at Union Square; Pravia was reportedly looking for drugs. He went back to Pravia's apartment in Chelsea; after Pravia fell asleep, Cancel initially stole Pravia's computer, cell phone and iPod and left the apartment. In the confession, Cancel said, "I was bored, so I decided to go back into the apartment and kill him." He strangled Pravia while he slept--and told cops he noticed Pravia's eyes open. Pravia's body was later found by his roommate.

Cancel's father called the police when his son (previously described as mentally imbalanced and having drifted from city to city) arrived at his Queens home and said he killed someone. Cancel reportedly also told the police, "Can you cuff me in the front so I can throw gang signs?" The confession was filed in court at Cancel's arraignment. However, Cancel, who is being held without bail, pleaded not guilty to second degree murder.

Tagged

Chelsea

Jeromic Cancel

Kevin Pravia

murder

pace murder

pace university


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

Your guide to voting in New York's 2026 elections for governor and Congress

A primer on the races for governor, attorney general and the congressional districts that could help determine control of the U.S. House.

By

Walter Wuthmann

,

Jon Campbell

and

Brigid Bergin

Published Oct 23, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET


Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors

Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.

By

Ryan Kost

News

Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors

Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.

By

Ryan Kost


NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal

By

Elizabeth Kim

NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting

By

Charles Lane

Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds

By

Samantha Max


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .