Retired White Plains Police Officer Kills 2 Daughters Then Self
The case is being called a murder, suicide, although police were still awaiting the toxicology report from the medical examiner’s office at the time of the press conference to confirm that gunpowder residue was on the hand of Glen Hochman at the time f the shooting.
He was found in the garage of his home with a single gunshot to the head and a 40 caliber Glock in his hand.
The family’s three dogs were also found shot dead at the scene.
According to Marraccini, the shootings occurred sometime after 2 a.m. Saturday morning.
The two teens, the youngest of three, were each killed by a single gunshot to the head as they slept in their beds.
The oldest daughter, age 22, and Mrs. Hochman were away on an overnight trip at the time of the killings.
On the trip back, mid-afternoon Saturday, the women tried calling the house and its occupants with no answer, prompting them to call Alissa’s boyfriend to ask if he would check out the house. He was able to access the house through the garage at which time he found Mr. Hochman dead and called 911, Marraccini said.
A second 911 call was made to Harrison Police Headquarters by a woman driving with Mrs. Hochman after the boyfriend told them what he had found.
The boyfriend had left the house immediately after finding Mr. Hochman and did not find the two dead teens. They were later discovered by Harrison Police responding to the call.
The community, completely stunned by the event, is in mourning and trying to heal. Mayor Belmont, who acknowledged that he knew the family personally, said Harrison High School opened its doors on Monday at noon and was offering grief counseling to students and their families through the Interfaith Council.
“It is with great sorrow that I extend this expression of sympathy and compassion to my fellow community members and all who have been affected by the recent, tragic loss of Alissa and Deanna Hochman, Mayor Belmont said. “The girls were cherished by their family, friends, and teachers and by the Town/Village of Harrison. I encourage all those who knew and loved Alissa and Deanna to draw strength from the sense of unity we have here in town. In this very difficult time, I hope that we can celebrate their lives and remember, with fondness, the impact they had on us all. My thoughts and prayers go out to both the Hochman and DiPietro (Mrs. Hochman’s maiden name) families.”
The Windward School in White Plains was also offering aide to its students and their families.
Hochman, who had retired from the White Plains Police Department in January 2015, had previously been injured in an incident while he was on traffic duty. In May, he had been honored for saving someone’s life.
White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong released a statement over the weekend saying the White Plains Police Department was in shock.
“The department is shocked and horrified by the news of this unfathomable tragedy,” Chong said in a statement. “We can only pray for the family. Officer Hochman served this department and the city of White Plains with honor and integrity for over 22 years.”
People close to the family indicated that in mid-January the couple had discussed a separation, but that Mr. Hochman did not appear outwardly depressed.
During the press conference, Marraccini said that Mrs. Hochman had filed a police report on Friday about a dispute she had with her husband over an $80 phone bill, but that there was no indication of verbal or physical abuse claims in the report. She had filed the report for documentation purposes only because a friend had advised her to do so, Marraccini said.
A multi-page suicide letter found at the scene was addressed to Mrs. Hochman and according to Marraccini offered her advice on what she should do next to get her family’s business in order.
Marraccini would not share what else the suicide note said, nor would he indicate if Mr. Hochman acted because of a marital dispute.
