Published 13 August 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News
Alleged hammer killer also stabbed his mother: prosecutor
The Long Island man who brutally bludgeoned to death his mother, sister and her friend with a hammer also used a knife to stab his mom multiple times, a prosecutor said in court Sunday.
Prosecutor Ani Pulaski said Bobby Vanderhall, 34, “used a hammer to viciously attack and bludgeon to death three female victims” on Saturday.
“During the attack on his mother, he also used a knife to stab her multiple times,” Pulaski added.
The suspect’s uncle, 70-year-old Leon Alexander, said “some of everything” is wrong with his nephew.
“He’s a big, strong kid,” he said. “Once, when things got out of hand, it took six guys to take him down.”
The 230-pound Vanderhall wore a grey hooded jumpsuit during his five-minute arraignment in a courtroom in Nassau County District Court in Hempstead that was packed with victims’ family members.
Jeremy Monteiro, a 30-year-old cousin of Vanderhall, said the suspect has been prone to sudden fits of rage for several years now.
“We’re just still processing it. Bobby had some health issues for a while. He’s had tons of episodes, where, it’s sad to say, we all kind of thought something bad would happen – but not as bad as this,” he said.
“But we’re also very grateful that he’s alive. We just want him to get the correct mental health treatment that he needs.”
Vanderhall went to Uniondale HS — where he wrestled, played football and lacrosse — before going on to Lincoln Tech to earn certification as a mechanic, according to relatives.
Vanderhall managed his psychiatric issues with medication, another loved one said.
“Whenever he was on his meds, he was somewhat deal-able. When he went off his meds, his temper was sky high and he would have his episodes,” the family member said.
“It’s kind of twisted to deal with realizing our family is now attached to (an) Amityville Horror scenario.”
Vanderhall pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder charges and was held without bail.
