Woman pleads guilty in kayak homicide case

GOSHEN — Angelika Graswald, 37, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., pleaded guilty in connection with the drowning death of her fiancé, Vincent Viafore, while they were kayaking on the Hudson River on April 19, 2015.
She pleaded guilty to the felony of Criminally Negligent Homicide before Orange County Court Judge Robert H. Freehill, said District Attorney David Hoovler in making the announcement Monday.
Graswald admitted she caused Viafore’s drowning death by removing the plug from his kayak, said Hoovler. She also admitted she knew that the locking clip to Vincent’s kayak paddle was missing, that he was not wearing a life vest, or a wet suit, and knowing that the waters in the Hudson River where they were kayaking were dangerously cold and rough at the time.
Graswald was wearing a life jacket at the time, said Hoovler.
Graswald admitted that her actions constituted a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would have observed in the situation, said Hoovler, and that her actions caused Viafore's death.
Hoovler said the plea agreement was entered into after extensive consultation with the victim’s family, who understand the reasons for the plea agreement. Graswald is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 1.
The agreement mandates that Graswald be sentenced to one and one-third to four years in state prison, the maximum sentence for the charge of Criminally Negligent Homicide.
Arrest made 11 days after drowningOn April 19, 2015, the Orange County 911 Center received a call that Viafore’s kayak had capsized during a kayaking trip on the Hudson River. The New York State Police and other first responders searched the river, eventually recovering his kayak and that of Graswald, who had been taken aboard a private vessel.
On April 30, Graswald was arrested by the New York State Police. On May 23, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit were notified about a body floating in the Hudson River in the vicinity of West Point. They located and secured the body until the New York State Police could respond and recover the body from the river. The body was positively identified as that of Vincent Viafore.
The plug, which was missing from Viafore’s kayak, was eventually recovered from the center console of the car Graswald was driving.
The plea will render Graswald, who is a lawful permanent resident, liable for deportation, although that decision will ultimately be made by a Federal Judge.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney David Byrne and Chief Trial Assistant District Attorney John Geidel.
“While no outcome can compensate for the loss of a beloved son, brother, and uncle, this disposition will hopefully bring a measure of closure to the Viafore family,” said Hoovler. “This plea ensures that the defendant will be held criminally liable for her actions. By pleading guilty the defendant has acknowledged that Vincent Viafore’s death was not simply a tragic accident, but the result of this defendant’s criminal conduct.”