Sources: Note Threatening Pregnant Women Found Next To Stabbing Victim
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) --Sources tell CBS 2 that a note was found next to the body of a pregnant Brooklyn mother of four who was found stabbed to death in her apartment Saturday.
Meanwhile, Anthony Jackman, the fiancé of the victim – Vindalee Smith, 38 – has been arrested and charged, but not in connection with the woman's death.
The New York City Medical Examiner's office ruled Smith's death a homicide. Autopsy results were released Sunday.
Sources said the type-written note found next to her body referenced Beltway sniper Lee Boyd Malvo.
"It said 'I will kill one pregnant woman a month starting now until Lee Boyd Malvo is set free,'" NYPD Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne told WCBS 880's Alex Silverman. "We haven't determined whether this note is just a ruse to try to throw detectives off."
WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reports
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"It's scary. Scary. It makes me want to get out of here," one area resident said.
Malvo was sentenced to life in prison for six murders in Maryland that were part of a three-week shooting spree in the Washington area back in 2002. Malvo apologized for his role in the killings, telling a court "I'm truly sorry, grieved and ashamed for what I've done." Malvo's partner John Allen Muhammad was sentenced to death and executed in 2009.
Smith was found stabbed to death in her East Flatbush home one day before her wedding and just hours before a planned baby shower. She was eight months pregnant. Her unborn child did not survive. Neighbors told CBS 2's Sean Hennessey they've never heard of anything like this.
"Horrible. Horrible. And she's pregnant. Horrible," Gloria Brown said.
"Anybody going to kill someone with a baby, that's wrong," Irving Liburd added.
"It's frightening and ridiculous. It's frightening," another neighbor said.
No weapon was recovered and there was no sign of forced entry, police said. Investigators have been questioning friends and family.
But police sources aren't putting much stock in the note found here, saying it's just a ruse to throw investigators off the track of who killed the mother of four.
Meanwhile, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne tells 1010 WINS that Smith's fiancé, Anthony Jackman, has been charged with possession of a forged instrument for a false temporary registration for a vehicle.
1010 WINS' Gene Michaels reports
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Jackman was being questioned at the 67th Precinct, at 2820 Snyder Ave. in Brooklyn. Browne called him a person of interest in Smith's death, but not a suspect.
Jackman's parents live in an apartment just a few blocks from the murder scene, CBS 2's Hennessey reported.
"I didn't know that side of him. I've never seen that side of him," said one woman who knows the fiance but didn't want to be identified. "I don't believe it. I can't believe it. Things change and things happen, but I can't believe the person that I know could have done this."
Police said Jackman was still married to another woman, but they were estranged, despite plans to get married to Smith on Sunday.
Jackman was arrested Sunday night. He was free as of Monday evening, but investigators said they have been keeping tabs on his location. There were no signs of forced entry, but investigators said they believe Smith may have known her killer.
Smith was a member of the New Dimension Church in Brooklyn and a devout Seventh-day Adventist.
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