In the quiet community of Islip, New York, a tragedy unfolded that left friends and neighbors in shock. Eileen Clifford, a 68-year-old woman, was found dead in her home on February 20, 2025. The circumstances of her death pointed to a grim conclusion: a murder-suicide at the hands of her 73-year-old husband, William Clifford.
The discovery was made early in the morning when Town of Islip garbage collectors on their regular route noticed a man's body lying in the driveway of the
Clifford's residence on Parsons Landing. One of the sanitation workers, trained in CPR, examined the body and determined the person was beyond help, prompting a call to 911. When Suffolk County Police officers from the 3rd Precinct arrived, they found William Clifford with a gunshot wound and a firearm at his feet.
Inside the home, a more somber discovery awaited. Officers found Eileen Clifford, also deceased from a gunshot wound. The ensuing investigation by the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad led detectives to believe that William Clifford had shot his wife before taking his own life in the front yard. The firearm used in the incident was registered in his name.
Eileen Clifford was remembered for her philanthropic spirit and active involvement in her community. A retired American Airlines flight attendant, she founded the Long Island chapter of the Kiwi Club, a social and charitable organization for former and current flight attendants. Her dedication to volunteer work was a significant part of her life. William Clifford was a tugboat operator and a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy. The couple had been married for over two decades, and there was no prior history of domestic violence reported. Authorities did not release a motive for the tragic event.
