Murray Hill Caretaker Murdered Elderly Boss With Ceramic Lamp, DA Says

MURRAY HILL, NY — A man who allegedly killed his boss in Murray Hill and fled to the Philippines was charged with second-degree murder on Friday, according to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.

Miguel Abarentos, 29, was employed by 87-year-old Thawerdas Sadhwani beginning in October 2012, and often assisted him with household tasks, according to court documents.

Just months later, on Dec. 15, Abarentos was at Sadhwani's apartment on East 36th Street in Murray Hill when he crushed his neck and beat him with a ceramic lamp, killing him, the DA said.

In the hours following the murder, Abarentos allegedly traveled to Queens and logged onto Facebook at an internet cafe. He sent a message to a friend, admitting to the murder and saying he needed to go home, the DA said. The next day, the suspect flew to the Philippines.

When the victim's housekeeper was unable to enter the apartment the next day, building officials unlocked the door and found Sadhwani's body, according to court documents.

Abarentos was finally arrested in Makati, Philippines, on June 20, 2016, and was extradited to the U.S.

“Miguel Abarentos is accused of brutally murdering his 87-year-old employer, and fleeing to Southeast Asia in a failed attempt to evade accountability,” the DA said in a statement. “I thank my Office’s prosecutors for working doggedly for nearly four years to ensure that he faces justice, and hope that his extradition and prosecution brings a measure of comfort to the victim’s family.”

Assistant District Attorney Maxine Rosenthal will serve as prosecutor in the case.

Lead image via Shutterstock