In a quiet Selden, New York neighborhood, the discovery of two bodies in a Hollywood Avenue home on May 3, 2022, unraveled a grim story of violence. Robert A. Julian Jr., a 58-year-old male resident of the home, was found deceased alongside 45-year-old Ian Saalfield of Lake Grove. Both men had been fatally shot. The investigation into their deaths began when Saalfield's wife reported him missing on April 26, leading police to Julian's residence as part of their search.
Neighbors described Julian as a friendly and polite man, expressing shock and disbelief at the violent events that transpired.
The subsequent investigation into the double homicide led authorities to Brian Cordovano, a Bay Shore man who was a childhood friend of Saalfield. The case broke open when police responded to a call on May 2, 2022, about an overdose at a Ronkonkoma motel, where they found Cordovano. A vehicle in the motel parking lot, a silver 2004 Toyota Corolla, was traced back to Robert Julian, linking Cordovano to the Selden home. Investigators later determined that the murders had occurred on April 25, 2022.
In February 2023, Brian Cordovano, then 48, was arrested following a traffic stop and charged with the murders of Julian and Saalfield. He faced two counts of first-degree murder, among other charges. Although the motive was not explicitly detailed, investigators were looking into whether the 'drug trade' was involved.
On October 9, 2024, Brian Cordovano, then 50, pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree manslaughter, three counts of first-degree robbery, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. On November 20, 2024, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the killings. Prosecutors highlighted that while the conviction brings a measure of justice, it cannot undo the loss for the families of Robert Julian and Ian Saalfield.
