A man from Long Island has confessed to the brutal murder of his wife, an act witnessed by their teenage son. Ryszard Murawski, 44, entered a guilty plea to second-degree murder charges on September 17. He had attacked his wife, Wioleta Murawski, with a large serrated knife in the backyard of their Lindenhurst residence, as per the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
The couple’s 15-year-old son, returning from a friend’s house, heard his mother’s desperate cries for help. He rushed to the backyard, only to witness the horrifying scene of his father attacking his mother. The incident occurred just before 8:30 p.m. on January 3, 2024.
The courageous teenager intervened, jumping on his father and providing his mother a chance to escape. Wioleta managed to stumble across the street before collapsing, with her son by her side. A significant amount of blood marked the path from the site of the attack to where she fell.
The distraught teenager dialed 911, pleading for help as he tried to save his mother’s life. Wioleta, 38, was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in West Islip, where she was later pronounced dead.
Meanwhile, Ryszard Murawski fled the scene in his black GMC pickup truck. Police spotted him and pursued him for over seven miles before he lost control and crashed into a building near New York and West Hoffman avenues in Lindenhurst. The entire attack was captured on the family’s home surveillance system.
Wioleta Murawski was remembered fondly by friends and family. A family friend, Magdalena Kowalewska, described her as a wonderful mother, sister, friend, and colleague who touched many lives. She was dedicated to raising her two sons and ensuring their future was bright. She was known for her outgoing personality and her willingness to help others without expecting anything in return.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney attributed the murder to domestic violence. He expressed his condolences for the senseless death of Wioleta and the trauma inflicted on their child. He urged anyone in an abusive relationship to seek help.
At the time of his arrest, Murawski was charged with one count of aggravated criminal contempt for violating an order of protection issued by his wife a week earlier. He is expected to be sentenced to 22 years to life in prison, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 17, 2024.