Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Man Allegedly Beats Nursing Home Roommate To Death Over Curtain Scuffle
By
Lauren Evans
Published Oct 31, 2013
Modified Oct 31, 2013
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 .
Google Maps
By
Lauren Evans
Published Oct 31, 2013
Modified Oct 31, 2013
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
A 66-year-old man allegedly bludgeoned his nursing home roommate to death on Wednesday over a disagreement on whether to keep a curtain separating their beds drawn.
Thomas Yarnavick, a resident at Beacon Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in the Rockaways, was so adamant in his preference to keep the curtain shut that he allegedly used a wheelchair leg rest to beat and, ultimately, kill 71-year-old roommate, Jailall Singh.
The home, which had just completed extensive renovations after being damaged by Sandy, was just starting to return to normal when the attack occurred. Then again, "normal" isn't the same as "good," according to at least one resident.
“Last night I heard screaming voices, but that happens all the time,” 63-year-old Kamal Musa, who lives across the hall from the pair, told the Daily News.
Yarnavick has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon—the wheelchair.
Tagged
murder
nursing home
queens
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Parents grumble as NYC schools chancellor dodges calls for NYC schools integration plan
Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones said she felt disappointed by the lack of details.
By
Jessica Gould
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 10:01 p.m. ET
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
News
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
16 arrested in New York auto insurance fraud crackdown involving nearly $500K
By
Giulia Heyward
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
By
Catalina Gonella
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
By
Willow Higgins
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 .