In a tragic turn of events on June 30, 2019, Barbara Manougian, a 67-year-old female, was found deceased in her vehicle in Lake Grove, New York. The discovery was made by Suffolk County Police officers who were responding to a wellness check at the apartment of her 69-year-old husband, Varujan Manougian, on Hallock Road. Upon arrival, at approximately 1:20 p.m., police found Varujan inside the apartment with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Shortly after, investigators
located Barbara Manougian in her car, which was parked directly outside the apartment building. She had also sustained a fatal gunshot wound. A physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner pronounced both Barbara and Varujan Manougian dead at the scene. The couple were the owners of an Italian restaurant in St. James named Barbera Pasta e Vino, and the incident sent shockwaves through the local community.
The investigation conducted by the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad concluded that Varujan Manougian shot his wife before taking his own life in a murder-suicide. Authorities confirmed that no other individuals were present at the home at the time of the incident. As Varujan Manougian was identified as the sole perpetrator, no arrests were made, and no other suspects were sought in connection with Barbara Manougian's death. The case was subsequently closed.
