Five years after an unsolved murder, still hope for an arrest

The home of Linda Misek-Falkoff on 79 Grandview Ave. in Pleasantville, Nov. 16, 2019, where she was found stabbed to death five years ago. To this day, her murder remains unsolved. (Pleasantville Press/Jade Perez)

Hope remains in Pleasantville as five years have passed since the unsolved murder of Linda Misek-Falkoff.

On Oct. 30, 2014, the 76-year-old retired IBM employee was found stabbed to death in her home after a mail carrier noticed a pile of unopened mail and newspapers outside.

A village resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said that this case holds importance within the community.

“I remember when it happened and I recall that the reaction was very strong,” he said. While the resident described Falkoff as odd at times, he said she was a respectable figure.

Pleasantville Police Chief Erik Grutzner also knew Falkoff well.

“I had interacted with her on many occasions. She was extremely active in that she was constantly in and around town,” he said. “I would describe her as intelligent and hard-working. She had held many jobs during her life, and she never stopped being passionate about what she believed in.”

While the Westchester County Police Department is the lead agency on the investigation, Grutzner said that his department is still very much involved.

“[Although] we did not have the resources to devote to such a complex investigation, we have and continue to work closely with the county police in an effort to bring the investigation to a successful conclusion,” he said.

Despite having no new tips from the public, the county’s police department is still working on finding the suspect(s), even years later.

Capt. Mark Busche, the executive officer of the county’s Detective Division, said that there is no statute of limitations on homicide.

“Homicide [cases] always remain open until the killer is found,” he said. “There’s no timeline.” Just last year, California police arrested a serial killer who began his crime spree in the late 1970s, Busche added.

Busche also noted that as scientific tools advance, the chances of solving this case are higher. “The science that we have today may not be the science we have tomorrow,” he said.

Grutzner agreed with Busche and said that this type of case is never too old to investigate.

“While I can’t release details on an open investigation, I will say that this case continues to be a priority for this department,” he said. “With the county police, we all believe that Mrs. Falkoff’s killer will be brought to justice.”

According to Busche, anyone with information is asked to call 1-914-864-7705 or email tips@wccops.com. All information will be kept confidential.