In the quiet town of Cohoes, New York, the life of Dorota Malgorzata Puczylowski Kokoszko, a compassionate and dedicated respiratory therapist, was tragically cut short. Born in Augustow, Poland, the 54-year-old woman had built a life for herself in the United States, one marked by professional achievement and a deep love for her daughter. She was a respected member of the community and a valued employee at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, where she had worked for 11 years.
Her journey
began in Poland, where she earned a degree in education in the early 1980s. In the 1990s, she moved to New York and initially worked decorating cakes. With a drive to further her career, she graduated at the top of her class from Hudson Valley Community College in 2010 with a license in respiratory therapy. Her dedication to her field was evident in her numerous certifications and a recently awarded Certificate of Excellence from Ellis Hospital. Beyond her professional life, she was a devoted mother and an active member of her church.
On Friday, April 9, 2021, this peaceful existence was shattered. Concerned after being unable to reach her, a family member contacted the police to check on her welfare. When officers arrived at her Boght Road home, they made a grim discovery. Dorota and her husband, Marek Kokoszko, were both found deceased inside the residence, having suffered from gunshot wounds.
The ensuing investigation by the Colonie Police Department revealed a heartbreaking story of domestic turmoil that had culminated in a violent end. Authorities determined that Marek Kokoszko, 57, shot and killed his wife with a legally owned rifle before taking his own life. While the couple had escalating domestic issues in the months leading up to the tragedy, police had not been called to their home since 2016 for any domestic incidents. Investigators believe that Marek's mental health may have been a contributing factor in the murder-suicide. The case was closed with no further suspects or arrests, leaving a community to mourn the loss of a beloved caregiver and a family to grapple with an unthinkable tragedy.
