7-Year-Old Stabbed 31 Times By Her Mother
New City, NJ – In a tragic murder-suicide effort, 45-year-old Dr. Victoria Vovchik slashed and stabbed her 7-year-old daughter Ava 31 times. Vovchik even resorted to slitting the girl’s throat before killing herself.
Dr. Kristappa Sangavaram, Ava’s father, found the two exsanguinated bodies next to one another in the master bedroom of the Quarry Road home Thursday afternoon, reports The Journal News. Sangavaram, 68, and Vovchik were never married but shared care of their daughter Ava and co-owned the residence. He immediately alerted authorities.
Clarkstown police detectives are now thoroughly investigating what prompted the horrific incident. No suicide note was left behind explaining the motive behind the grisly act, but Vovchik’s autopsy verified her wounds — two neck incisions — were self-inflicted.
Miraculously Ava survived the brutal filicide assault. She underwent lifesaving surgery and is listed in stable condition at the Westchester Medical Center. Emergency medics mentioned the girl was able to speak at the time she was treated at the scene. But police say it will be several days before they can properly interview the child about the incident. Ava is recovering in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.
There is no official history of domestic abuse or assault regarding the couple. Mr. Sangavaram’s son, Preeth, recalled an incident in 2007 when police in New Jersey were forced to intervene during an argument between the two, primarily involving car horn honking. Nothing terribly serious.
The couple purchased the $810,000 home in August 2010. Sangavaram is an anesthesiologist who received his education in India. Sangavaram briefly lost his medical license after pleading no contest to charges of over-charging and improperly treating a patient in 2004. Ultimately, he was ordered to pay $210,000. Vovchik was a podiatrist with practices in Fort Lee and Montvale, New Jersey.
[Image via Shutterstock]
