In the fall of 2017, a beloved school secretary's life was tragically cut short in a violent act that stunned her community. Elizabeth Lee-Herman, a 56-year-old Caucasian woman, was a familiar and friendly face at the Grace Church School in New York City, where she had been a part of the community for 17 years. A divorced mother of two, she was known for her giving and loving nature, often seen riding her bike to work, a daily routine that would ultimately lead to her untimely death.
Her life took a dark turn after a brief relationship with a man she met on a dating website, Match.com. That man was Vincent Verdi, a 62-year-old former federal intelligence officer. Their relationship ended in July 2017, but Verdi refused to accept the separation. What followed was a terrifying campaign of stalking and harassment that lasted for months. Verdi would incessantly call her, send unwanted gifts, and even show up at her appointments and on dates with other men. Fearing for her safety, Elizabeth took legal action and obtained a restraining order against him on October 5, 2017, following his arrest for stalking. Despite these measures, Verdi's obsession continued to escalate.
On the morning of November 1, 2017, as Elizabeth was docking a Citi Bike at Astor Place, her routine was shattered. Verdi approached her and shot her in the stomach. He then turned the gun on himself in an attempt to take his own life. Elizabeth was pronounced dead at the scene. Verdi survived his self-inflicted gunshot wound and was taken into custody by the police. The news of her violent death sent shockwaves through the Grace Church School community and among her neighbors on the Upper East Side, who remembered her as a lovely woman.
In the aftermath, the legal system moved forward. Vincent Verdi was charged with murder, weapons possession, aggravated criminal contempt, and stalking. In May 2019, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. During the legal proceedings, Verdi expressed remorse for his actions. He was ultimately sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison for the murder of Elizabeth Lee-Herman, bringing a close to a case that highlighted the devastating consequences of domestic violence and stalking.
