Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Woman Accused Of Killing Kayaking Fiance 'Happy And Cheerful' In Jail


By

Rebecca Fishbein

Published May 16, 2015

Modified May 16, 2015


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

Rebecca Fishbein

Published May 16, 2015

Modified May 16, 2015


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 Orange County woman charged with murdering her fiance during a kayaking trip on the Hudson River last month is being held on $3 million cash bail, but apparently that's not fazing her—she's reportedly "happy and cheerful" in jail, according to the Post.

Angelika Graswald, 35, allegedly killed fiance Vincent Viafore, 46, on April 19th, with prosecutors claiming she admitted to tampering with his kayak, likely so she could benefit from his $250,000 life insurance policy. Viafore's body has still not been found.

Friends and supporters maintain that Graswald couldn't have killed Viafore, but a source told the Post that the Latvian native seems pretty happy behind bars, calling her mental state into question. "She doesn’t look like she’s mourning the death of someone she loved. To me, she’s not well up there [mentally]. She doesn’t look upset at all,” the woman, who has made multiple visits to see a different inmate, told the tabloid.

Though an anonymous source with minimal contact with a defendant isn't anything ironclad, prosecutors say Graswald admitted that after tampering with Viafore's kayak, she "felt good knowing he was going to die"; she also reportedly posted happy pictures and statuses to social media following Viafore's death. The Post's source says Graswald is "always happy and cheerful" during the source's visits.

Graswald's attorney says his client has a poor grasp of English, and was coerced into making her statements. She has been charged with second degree murder.

Tagged

angelika graswald

hudson river

kayak

murder

vincent viafore


Rebecca Fishbein

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims

The deal would compensate over 1,300 alleged victims and help the church avoid bankruptcy.

By

Arya Sundaram

Published Oct 24, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET


Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'

Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.

By

Arya Sundaram

News

Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'

Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.

By

Arya Sundaram


Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves

By

Elizabeth Shwe

and

Sean Carlson

NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home

By

Ryan Kost

3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes

By

Michael Sol Warren


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 .