A tragic event unfolded in New York City as prominent oncologist, Dr. Krystal Cascetta, allegedly shot her infant daughter before turning the gun on herself. New York State Police have described the incident as “consistent with a murder/suicide.”
Cascetta, 40, was a highly respected oncologist working at Mount Sinai, known for her dedication and empathy towards her patients. She was also the site chief of Mount Sinai’s infusion center in Queens, an assistant professor of medicine at the hospital’s medical school, and an active investigator of breast cancer clinical trials.
The shocking incident reportedly occurred around 7 a.m. on Saturday at the family’s home in Westchester County. At the time, Cascetta’s parents were present in the house while her husband was away. Earlier, the police had been called to the family’s residence at least two times, the reason for which remains unclear.
Law enforcement sources revealed to the Westchester Journal News/Lohud that the baby was a girl, and Cascetta’s only child, believed to be around four and a half months old.
Cascetta had an impressive academic record. She graduated from Albany Medical College, earning recognition by the Gold Humanism Honor Society for her excellence in humanistic clinical care, leadership, compassion, and dedication to service. Several patients took to social media after the incident, paying tribute to her work ethic, empathetic nature, and exceptional patient care.
In 2019, Cascetta married Timothy Talty, who manages a nutrition-bar company, where she served as a medical consultant. A statement on the company’s website read, “The people closest to Krystal will tell you that being a doctor is in her DNA.”
It further shared that Cascetta was inspired to specialize in Medical Oncology after her mother’s best friend passed away from breast cancer when Cascetta was in the 8th grade. The loss of a loved one to cancer shaped her medical career, leading her to become a beloved figure in the field of oncology.
The circumstances leading to the tragic event are still under investigation. The unexpected death of Cascetta and her daughter has left a void in the hearts of many. As one patient, Kambri Crews, noted, “A large community of survivors, patients, and colleagues are broken hearted.” The shock and grief expressed by her patients and colleagues are a testament to the profound impact Cascetta had in her professional and personal life.
