Watch CBS News

Father Charged In Death Of Pregnant Woman Found Buried In Bronx Basement

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A 61-year-old man has been charged with the murder of his pregnant 39-year-old daughter, after the woman's body was removed from a Bronx home.

Police confirmed that the body found in the Baychester home was that of 39-year-old Andrea Caruth, who had been reported missing on Sunday.

The body was discovered covered with gravel inside a hole dug into the floor of a closet in the basement of Caruth's Baychester home on Corsa Avenue around 3 a.m. Wednesday. The hole was covered with a piece of plywood, with a carpet over it.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Caruth's father William, 61, was charged with second degree murder and manslaughter.

William Caruth was escorted out of the 47th Precinct police station in the Bronx in handcuffs late Wednesday. He did answer reporters' questions or say a word at all, CBS2's Valerie Castro reported.

A friend of the victim shouted in disgust and called William a murderer.

"It was just a buildup of emotions and I called him a murderer, obviously that's how I feel," Nigel Fitzwilliam said.

Caruth's father and her live-in boyfriend were both interviewed by police throughout the night and into the morning, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.

Caruth's father lived in the basement apartment where her body was found.

The home that they shared was still surrounded with yellow crime tape on Wednesday night.

As CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, William didn't say a word as he was led out of the 47th Precinct in handcuffs.

Police sources told WCBS 880 that Caruth had a dispute over money prior to the murder.

"This is a terrible tragedy, terrible tragedy. This should not happen to anyone. It's so brutal. And her poor unborn baby -- it's very very sad," Caruth's friend Marie Smith said.

Caruth had injuries to her forehead, according to a police source. She appears to have died due to blunt force trauma to the head.

A hammer was found in the basement apartment, but it is not clear if that hammer is the murder weapon. The New York City Medical Examiner's office will determine the official cause of death.

A rope was also found with the body, a police source said. 

Caruth, who was five months pregnant, had last been seen by her live-in boyfriend around 10 a.m. Sunday shortly before she was supposed to meet a friend for brunch. She never showed up.

Her boyfriend claims Caruth went downstairs to get dressed and never returned, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported. Caruth's boyfriend said he thought she went on to the lunch date as scheduled. He didn't call police to report her missing until Monday.

"It's hard to believe, just across the street from me, it's really hard to believe," neighbor Paulette Lane said.

The break in the case happened when investigators searching the home overnight saw fans blowing in an attempt to dry wet spots. On Tuesday, investigators also found that trash bags that were previously full had been emptied, turned inside out and blood droplets were found on the bags.

Police returned with a search warrant for the basement apartment and a cadaver dog. The dog picked up the scent of Caruth's body.

Caruth's father immediately asked for an attorney when he was taken in for questioning.

Caruth ran a preschool and a daycare from her home, where she was adored by her students.

"They said it's a very, very good school. A lot of parents go there, the kids like her a lot," said neighbor Heather Allen.

Which is why many in the neighborhood can't understand why anyone would want to hurt a woman who was considered a second mother to her students and just four months shy of becoming a mother herself.

"To know she was pregnant and the baby died, that's two murders. The baby died," Phyllis Doctor said.

Sources told CBS2 Caruth's boyfriend has a wife and children who live in Brooklyn.

So far, no charges have been filed against Caruth's boyfriend.

A crime scene investigator was observed taking a machete into evidence on Wednesday.

The search ended with the shocking early morning find.

"I was shocked because I think that would be the first place cops would have looked since she was in the house," said neighbor Tony Bennett.

On Wednesday night, heartbroken friends gathered outside a neighbor's home for a vigil, and released red and white balloons.

"We pray and we sing, we sing songs there and we let go of balloons to celebrate her life,"  Marjorie Pitters said.

Some said they saw William Caruth on Tuesday night, before the body was found.

"He kept quiet. I didn't see him weeping or anything. He seemed stunned, shocked, I didn't see any reaction," Fanuel Endalew said.

While sources talked about the possible quarrel over money, friends said they can't understand how a father could kill his daughter and future grandchild.

"How could anybody be that insane, that hateful for their own flesh and blood is unfathomable," Marie Smith said.

Caruth's family declined to comment, but said a statement would be released later.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.