Horrific murder of Forest Hills’ Orsolya Gaal has
neighbors on edge, and seeking greater security
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | APRIL 22-28, 2022 10
Officers at the scene of Orsolya Gaal’s home at 72-24 Juno St., where police believe she was
killed, based on a blood trail to the crime scene. Photos by Lloyd Mitchell
“The body was discovered on the day I
wanted to explore the trails and walk my
dog in the area for the first time,” Graham
said. “But I eventually decided to do
that the next day after everything blew
over.”
While Graham is not on board with the
idea of beefing up security in and around
the park, he did feel the area could benefit
from more street lights and emergency
phones.
Another resident, who wished not to be
identified, said he was considering carrying
a concealed weapon with him when going
through the park. However, he didn’t
think it was necessary to add more security
officers to the area.
“There are other areas in New York
City that could use that increase in manpower
more than here,” he said. While he
did express reluctance to the idea of more
security cameras and hesitance toward
more lights, he definitely felt an increase
in emergency phone stations would benefit
Forest Park.
Judy Zemlock, who lives in a Kew Gardens
building fairly close to where the
body was discovered, emphasized the importance
of caution for those who wish to
go to the park, especially at night.
“I never walk my dog in the park at
night,” Zemlock said. “I’ll certainly be a
little more reluctant to walk my dog in the
woods alone now.”
While she noted that people have
dumped all kinds of things in the park’s
wooded area — including whole cars —
this is the first instance that comes to
mind for Zemlock that a human body was
dumped in the area. Zemlock said she feels
that Forest Park could certainly use more
lights for the night and is also open to the
idea of adding security cameras, though
she also noted some nearby residents are
also able to see what is going on at the parts
of the park from their own windows.
She also noted that a nice area like her
Kew Gardens neighborhood may not be as
desperate for more security officers when
compared to other areas.
“It’s each individual’s responsibility to
stay cautious,” Zemlock said.
BY ETHAN MARSHALL
Following the discovery of a Forest
Hills woman’s body inside a duffel bag
near the Jackie Robinson Parkway and
Forest Park on Saturday, April 16, members
of the Forest Hills and Kew Gardens
communities had different ideas on how to
prevent anything like this from happening
again in their area.
The deceased was identified by police
as 51-year-old Queens resident Orsolya
Gaal, who leaves behind a husband and
two sons, according to authorities. Based
on a blood trail from the crime scene, the
police believe Gaal was killed in her home
at 72-24 Juno St.
Reports indicate that Gaal was stabbed
at least 60 times, but an NYPD spokesperson
could not immediately confirm the
report. A public affairs spokesperson from
the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
told QNS that the medical examiner determined
the cause of death as sharp force
injuries to Gaal’s neck, but could not comment
on the alleged stabbings.
The NYPD spokesperson told QNS that
Gaal’s husband claims to have received
threatening text messages from the person
who he believes to be her killer shortly
after the murder took place, but could not
provide additional details at this time.
According to Ina Cohen, a friend of
Gaal, the family was very tight-knit.
“The kids came to our church, the
Church of the Garden nursery school,” Cohen
said. “Those poor kids are without a
mother. I feel terrible for them.”
Police are offering a $3,500 reward for
information related to Gaal’s death.
While illegal dumping had long been
an issue at Forest Park, the discovery of
Gaal’s body has heightened the concerns
among some in the neighborhood. However,
they mostly remain undeterred in going
to the park.
According to Steven Madsen of Forest
Hills Gardens, the park could benefit from
more security in the area.
“More park security, lights and security
cameras could certainly help the area,”
Madsen said.
He also noted this could help keep bicyclists
and those walking along the trails
in the park from getting in each other’s
way. While he acknowledged many people
are likely worried about their safety at the
park following the body discovery, Madsen
still intends to continue walking along the
park three or four times a week.
Kew Gardens resident Chris Graham
had recently moved into the neighborhood
and was initially hesitant to visit Forest
Park after the body discovery.
Family friend Ina Cohen said she feels “terrible” for Gaal’s family.
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