In the quiet town of Harrison, New York, a devastating tragedy unfolded on February 21, 2015, claiming the life of 17-year-old Alyssa Hochman. A student at Harrison High School, Alyssa was known for her dedicated volunteer work with the Harrison Emergency Medical Services and the Harrison Fire Explorer's Post. Her life, along with her 13-year-old sister Deanna's, was cut short in an act of violence that shook the community to its core.
The grim discovery was made at their family home on
Adelphi Avenue. Alyssa and Deanna were found in their beds, having been shot while they slept. The perpetrator was their father, Glen Hochman, a 52-year-old retired White Plains police officer. After killing his two daughters, Glen took his own life. The family's three dogs were also found shot to death at the scene.
The horrific event was a premeditated murder-suicide, as revealed by a five- to six-page typed note Glen Hochman left behind. The motive for his actions remains largely incomprehensible, though an argument with his wife over a cell phone bill had been reported to police the day before the killings, with no indication of physical violence. Toxicology reports indicated that Glen Hochman was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The investigation also found that he had smashed his computers and hidden the hard drives, which, when recovered, offered no explanation for his actions.
At the time of the tragedy, Alyssa's mother, Anamarie DiPietro-Hochman, and her older sister, Samantha, were out of town. Becoming concerned when she couldn't reach her family, Anamarie sent Alyssa's boyfriend to the house, where he discovered Glen Hochman's body in the garage and alerted the police. In the wake of this immense loss, the Harrison community rallied together, holding memorial services and honoring the lives of the two young sisters.
