Swimsuit Designer's Dad: Accused Killer Looked Guilty
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The mother of a swimsuit designer found dead in a posh New York City hotel last year says she trusts "that justice will be done'' after attending a court date Tuesday for the man who is charged with murdering her daughter.
There was barely time for the parents of Sylvie Cachay to get a good look at their daughter's accused killer but her father said he saw enough.
"He didn't face us, he didn't care," Dr. Antonio Cachay said. "He looked like he was guilty."
Nicholas Brooks, the son of "You Light Up My Life" songwriter Joseph Brooks, is accused of killing the 33-year-old designer who was found dead on Dec. 9 in an overflowing bathtub at the chic Soho House hotel.
The medical examiner's office said Cachay died from compression of the neck and drowning and she had been forcibly submerged in the tub.
Brooks said nothing and didn't look at anyone in the courtroom audience during the brief proceeding Tuesday.
1010 WINS Reporter Juliet Papa spoke with Cachay's parents who react to seeing accused killer
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Dr. Cachay and his wife, Sylvia, travelled from Virginia and came to the Manhattan courthouse in search of justice.
"He has to pay for my daughter's life, for her beautiful life that was cut at the height of her life," Cachay's mother said.
"I cannot explain it. The pain, it's … it's so terrible. I think, like, if you just dig a knife and you just leave it there! And, it will never come out!" she told CBS 2's Pablo Guzman.
"And we'll be here every single day that there is a trial. Because we want justice! What this man did to my daughter ruined our lives! Ruined my family! He has to pay!" Dr. Cachay added.
WCBS 880's Irene Cornell reports Cachay's parents wanted to look at the accused killer in the eyes
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Brooks and Cachay had been dating but friends had said their relationship was faltering.
Brooks claimed that he left Cachay sleeping. His lawyer has said he may contest findings she died of strangulation and drowning.
"They had a close, intimate, caring relationship. And it's been a terrible loss for him," attorney Jeffrey Hoffman said, adding when asked to comment on the victim's family's heated words, "they've never spoken to him that I know of. And, you know, they're really reacting to their loss as opposed to knowing anything about Nick, and I fully understand that."
A bottle of prescription drugs was found in the couple's room. Medical examiners have declined to say whether any drugs were found in Cachay's system.
"She was a wonderful, wonderful girl, wonderful daughter, wonderful friend, New York loves her and she is New York," Cachay's mother said.
