Netflix has released a new true crime docuseries titled Homicide: New York, which takes a closer look at some of the most infamous crime cases from The Big Apple. The mind behind this project is Dick Wolf, the same producer who created the Law & Order franchise.
Homicide: New York consists of five episodes, with every episode focusing on a different case. This project showcases various aspects of the cases, such as the struggle faced by cops and the grief experienced by individuals affected by crimes. Furthermore, it will also delve into the process of bringing perpetrators to justice.
According to Tudum by Netflix, executive producer Adam Kassen explained how large-scale the NYPD is. He stated, “In New York, homicide detectives are divided between north and south Manhattan. The NYPD is massive. You can work in that department and not actually know somebody for years. All the folks on the show know each other. They either worked together loosely or were connected somehow. And that was what we started with, a group of folks that were connected, that cared about their cases.”
Homicide: New York features interviews with the NYPD, survivors, friends, and families of the victims. The docuseries’ synopsis, according to Netlfix’s official trailer on YouTube reads, “Homicide: New York, a new Netflix documentary series from Wolf Entertainment, the creator of Law & Order. Real cops, real crimes. 5 episodes. 5 different crimes.”
It further reads, “The same group of detectives and prosecutors revisit their most challenging homicide cases in this chilling true-crime documentary series.”
Here, let’s delve deeper into each 5 case explored in the docuseries.
Which 5 cases are explored in Homicide: New York?
Episode 1: “Carnegie Deli Massacre”
The first episode titled “Carnegie Deli Massacre” will chronicle a case from 2001 where five people were executed in an apartment above a popular Manhattan eatery. Four out of the five victims had binding on their wrists and ankles. Furthermore, the individuals who investigated this case were NYPD Lieutenant Roger Parrino and death investigator Barbara Butcher.
According to Tudum by Netflix, the synopsis of this episode reads, “In 2001, the authorities are called to an apartment located directly above Carnegie Deli, a historic eatery popular with tourists in Manhattan’s theater district. Five victims have been shot, execution-style. Four of them are found with binding at the wrists and ankles.”
It further reads, “As EMTs attempt to save the lives of those who survived the initial shooting. NYPD Lieutenant Roger Parrino, death investigator Barbara Butcher, and their colleagues work to figure out who committed this heinous crime — and why.”
Episode 2: “Central Park Slaying”
Episode 2, titled “Central Park Slaying”, will delve into a case involving a dead body that was found in Central Park. By the time Detective Rob Mooney arrived on the scene, there was immense pressure from the media. Furthermore, a local teenager informed officials that her boyfriend committed the crime. However, this resulted in the arrest of both of them.
Per Tudum by Netflix, this episode’s synopsis reads, “In the middle of the night, a man’s body is found floating in the lake in the middle of Central Park. By the time NYPD homicide detective Rob Mooney arrives on the scene the next morning. The press is already swarming and the pressure is on to figure out who’s responsible for the gruesome slaying.”
It further reads, “When a local teenage girl tells police that her boyfriend slayed the victim, her account results in arrests for both of them. Now Mooney is tasked with getting to the bottom of what happened in the park that fateful night in order to build a case against the true perpetrator of this heinous murder.”
Episode 3: “Vanished on Wall Street”
Episode 3, titled “Vanished on Wall Street”, sheds light on the mysterious 2009 disappearance of Eridania Rodriguez. Reports suggest that Rodriguez showed up to work, but suddenly vanished. Furthermore, when her coworker contacted her family to learn of her whereabouts, however, she was nowhere to be found. Interestingly, upon investigation, the NYPD learned that Rodriguez never left the building.
The synopsis of this episode reads, “Eridania Rodriguez is a 46-year-old woman who works the evening shift as a cleaner in Manhattan’s Financial District. During the summer of 2009, Rodriguez arrives to begin her shift and seemingly vanishes. When a co-worker contacts her family to see if she’s returned home, her family frantically rushes downtown to see if they can find her. But to no avail.”
It further reads, “When the NYPD arrives, they find that by all accounts, Rodriguez never left the building. So begins a frustratingly slow search to find out exactly what happened for the sake of Eridania’s grieving family.”
Episode 4: “Midtown Slasher”
“Midtown Slasher” will take a look at the 1996 murder of Howard Pilmar. Pilmar owned an office supply company in Midtown Manhattan. After his brutal stabbing, officials suspected that the perpetrators of the crime were his family members. Furthermore, his wife and brother-in-law became prime suspects. The officer who investigated this case was NYPD Lieutenant Roger Parrino.
Midtown Slasher’s synopsis reads, “When Howard Pilmar, the owner of an office supply company in Midtown Manhattan, is found stabbed to death in 1996, the police begin to suspect that it was members of Pilmar’s own family — his wife and brother-in-law, specifically — who conspired to have him killed.”
It further reads, “As his loved ones descend into further distress and internal strife, NYPD lieutenant Roger Parrino works tirelessly to determine who killed the beloved entrepreneur. It will take nearly two decades before it’s possible to finally make a case stick.”
Episode 5: “East Harlem Serial Killer”
The final episode of Homicide: New York focuses on a case involving a serial rapist and murderer. All victims were young black and Latina women. Furthermore, officials had to find the perpetrator as soon as possible to protect the community from further risk.
The synopsis of “East Harlem Serial Killer” reads, “The discovery of an unknown female victim in the staircase of a building in East Harlem leads the NYPD to piece together a spate of related cases throughout the neighborhood over the course of several years.”
It further reads, “A serial rapist and murderer is targeting young black and Latina women. And the longer it takes for police to track him down, the more a community remains at risk.”
Homicide: New York is a joint project of Wolf Entertainment and Alfred Street Industries. Its executive producers are Tom Thayer, Jane Lipsitz, Dan Cutforth, Nan Strait, Dan Volpe, Adam Kassen, and Dick Wolf. The docuseries was released on Netflix worldwide on March 20, 2024.
Interestingly, its spinoff Homicide: Los Angeles will be released later this year. Stay tuned for further updates!
