NYC mom found stabbed to death hours before husband was found hanged in park, leaving couple's baby boy orphaned

Published: 22:38, 21 July 2026 | Updated: 22:39, 21 July 2026 An 11-month-old boy has been orphaned after his mother was stabbed to death and his father apparently took his own life inside their Queens home. Mary Golding, 34, was discovered in the family’s basement apartment in Astoria shortly after midnight Tuesday. Her husband, Joseph Azzarato, 33, was found hanging from a tree in Astoria Park around six hours later, according to reports. Investigators reportedly believe Azzarato killed Golding following an argument before fleeing the home. The couple’s baby was inside the apartment but had not been injured. Golding’s parents later arrived and took the child into their care, neighbors told the Daily News. Police have not formally classified the deaths as a murder-suicide. The NYPD told the Daily Mail that officers responding to a 12.24am report of an assault found Golding with a stab wound to her back. Mary Golding, 34, pictured with her 11-month-old son, was found stabbed to death inside her Queens apartment early Tuesday Golding was discovered with a stab wound to her back inside the family’s basement apartment in Astoria Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene. No arrests had been made and the investigation remained ongoing. A knife was still lodged in Golding’s back when she was discovered, the Daily News reported. Footage obtained by the newspaper allegedly showed Azzarato outside the building speaking on his cellphone before getting into a car and driving away. He was reportedly identified as a person of interest before his body was discovered at around 6am. Azzarato was found near Astoria Park South and Shore Boulevard, about two miles from the family’s home. His death was being investigated as an apparent suicide. Golding and Azzarato had moved into the apartment around two months earlier, according to neighbors. Investigators reportedly believe Golding was killed by her husband following an argument before he took his own life Both reportedly worked in the film industry, with Golding believed to have been a set decorator. Police had not previously been called to the couple’s home. However, neighbors claimed Azzarato had become known for losing his temper and arguing over parking spaces. The couple’s deaths left their baby boy without either parent.