NY NY - Sylvia Lwowski, 22, Staten Island, 6 Sept 1975 - #4

[Jmoose]

Pink Panther-thanks for the input; we could use a pair of new eyes here.

 

[Jmoose]

I have found something that caught my eye, given the date and locations mentioned:

http://www.silive.com/september-11/index.ssf/2010/09/james_leahy_38_nypd_was_loving.html

"Mr. Leahy's father, Arthur II, a Parks Department employee, was murdered during a burglary in 1975 while he was on a night watch at LaTourette Golf Course."

I have not been able to find any articles relating to this event. That sounds lit a pretty violent and dramatic burglary given that a person lost his life and yet, it doesn't seem to have appeared in any of the papers???

At one point, Sylvia's brother said he thought that particular golf course should have been/should be searched for her. I wonder what made him say that? It wasn't too close to the spot where the fiance said she exited the car.

 

[Pink Panther]

At one point, Sylvia's brother said he thought that particular golf course should have been/should be searched for her. I wonder what made him say that? It wasn't too close to the spot where the fiance said she exited the car.

Yes I know. That's why this information caught my eye. A person was murdered there the same year that Sylvia went missing. I also cannot find ANY reference to this incident other than the obituary that I posted. Maybe someone else with better skills can find something???

 

[epiphany]

Two suspects were arrested the same year (no month):

As a youth, Leahy saw justice done. Two arrests were made in 1975 in the slaying of his dad, Arthur, at the La Tourette public golf course.

http://nypost.com/2001/10/27/hero-did-it-for-dad-memories-of-fallen-father-spurred-cop/

 

[rosemadderlake]

Great input -good changes! My thought was to also include a PDF of her NamUs poster with the submission, too. On poster "Contact Cold Case N. Y. at (718) 834-4580 with information." Should I keep Det. Savage's contact, or change? Or, not include NamUs poster?

Here is Wagner with changes. I am posting local paper and Tottonville HS text versions separately.

 

[rosemadderlake]

Sylvia Lwowski: Tottenville High School, Class of 1971

Sylvia grew up on Staten Island, NY and was last seen September 6, 1975, on Staten Island; the summer after she graduated from Wagner College. She was 22 years old. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Sylvia was a 1971 graduate of Tottenville High School. She played the flute and piccolo. (need more info)

At Wagner College, Sylvia earned her B.S in Biology, in 1975. She was a member of the Wagner Marching Band, Alpha Tau Mu Musical Sorority and Tau Beta Sigma National Band Society.

If you have any information about what may have happened to her, please contact Detective Patrick Savage, Richmond County District Attorney's Office at: (718) 556-7122

For more information visit Sylvia Lwowski missing person database listings:

NamUs: National Missing and Unidentified System database
https://www.findthemissing.org/cases/7574/157

North American Missing Persons Network
http://www.nampn.org/cases/lwowski_sylvia_alice.html

The Doe Network
http://doenetwork.org/cases/2928dfny.html

 

[rosemadderlake]

Re: Tottenville High School Music Dept.

- It would be great to have confirmation that Sylvia was in the Marching Band in High School. -And any other musical programs; orchestra, choir? -Sports? -Clubs? (Identifiers that will help people remember.)

Tottenville Music Department

The Music Department is recognized for its outstanding and rigorous performance and academic programs. Tottenville boasts a large musical offering: Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra, Concert Choir (SATB), Concert Band, Intermediate Band, Intermediate Orchestra, Beginning Band, Beginning Strings, Guitar, Piano, Music Theory, Women's Chorus, and Vocal Training Chorus. The Tottenville Marching Band is a highly respected ensemble, performing at USSBA competitions and in parades and civic events throughout the New York City Metropolitan area. Members of the Tottenville HS Concert Choir were featured back-up singers for the Neon Tree's single, "Your Surrender", aired on Late Night with David Letterman (May 5, 2011).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tottenville_High_School

I noticed there is The Trumpet “The Tottenville High School Alumni Junction!” online.
http://www.wernerf.com/ths1960/

Class Directory Editors include years 1969 & 1970 (close enough to contact for 1971)
http://www.wernerf.com/article/staff.htm

 

[rosemadderlake]

Sylvia Lwowski: Staten Islander, Missing Person since 1975

Sylvia grew up on Staten Island, NY and was last seen at the Staten Island Mall on Saturday evening, September 6, 1975. She was 22 years old. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Sylvia was a 1975 graduate of Wagner College where she earned her B.S in Biology. She was a member of the Wagner Marching Band, Alpha Tau Mu Musical Sorority and Tau Beta Sigma National Band Society. She was a 1971 graduate of Tottenville High School.

If you have any information about what may have happened to her, please contact Detective Patrick Savage, Richmond County District Attorney's Office at: (718) 556-7122

For more information visit Sylvia Lwowski missing person database listings:

NamUs: National Missing and Unidentified System database
https://www.findthemissing.org/cases/7574/157

North American Missing Persons Network
http://www.nampn.org/cases/lwowski_sylvia_alice.html

The Doe Network
http://doenetwork.org/cases/2928dfny.html

 

[GoingByMyGut]

I have found something that caught my eye, given the date and locations mentioned:

http://www.silive.com/september-11/index.ssf/2010/09/james_leahy_38_nypd_was_loving.html

"Mr. Leahy's father, Arthur II, a Parks Department employee, was murdered during a burglary in 1975 while he was on a night watch at LaTourette Golf Course."

I have not been able to find any articles relating to this event. That sounds lit a pretty violent and dramatic burglary given that a person lost his life and yet, it doesn't seem to have appeared in any of the papers???

Def. one of the problems with these old cases is that they took place before the time when everything went right up online. We are at the mercy of those newspapers whose owners have taken the time to continue converting their historical archives into digital media. SILive is not strong in this regard, IMO ... and you need a paid subscription to access the archives they have codified. I don't have one and have had really bad luck searching their files for anything related to this case.

What are you thinking the connection might be between the Leahy murder and SL? That SL could have gotten caught up in a similar situation, perhaps at the hands of the same two ruthless burglars, the night she disappeared? It doesn't seem like these two made any attempt to hide Arthur Leahy's body ... and if SL died, someone certainly hid hers. Just wondering what direction your thoughts are going in.

 

[GoingByMyGut]

Great input -good changes! My thought was to also include a PDF of her NamUs poster with the submission, too. On poster "Contact Cold Case N. Y. at (718) 834-4580 with information." Should I keep Det. Savage's contact, or change? Or, not include NamUs poster?

Here is Wagner with changes. I am posting local paper and Tottonville HS text versions separately.

I really like the photos now. Three different facial angles.

Re the numbers, I suggested the DS number bc we know it's his case and I am loathe to see someone who tiptoes forward have to jump through hoops to get to him. However, JMoose, is that his direct line? Or does an admin pick up? I know the numbers listed on the posters are the DA's preference ... if it's his direct line, it may be presumptuous to include it. What do you think, JMoose? Your call really, Rose.

 

[GoingByMyGut]

Sylvia Lwowski: Tottenville High School, Class of 1971

Sylvia grew up on Staten Island, NY and was last seen September 6, 1975, on Staten Island; the summer after she graduated from Wagner College. She was 22 years old. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Sylvia was a 1971 graduate of Tottenville High School. She played the flute and piccolo. (need more info)

At Wagner College, Sylvia earned her B.S in Biology, in 1975. She was a member of the Wagner Marching Band, Alpha Tau Mu Musical Sorority and Tau Beta Sigma National Band Society.

If you have any information about what may have happened to her, please contact Detective Patrick Savage, Richmond County District Attorney's Office at: (718) 556-7122

For more information visit Sylvia Lwowski missing person database listings:

NamUs: National Missing and Unidentified System database
https://www.findthemissing.org/cases/7574/157

North American Missing Persons Network
http://www.nampn.org/cases/lwowski_sylvia_alice.html

The Doe Network
http://doenetwork.org/cases/2928dfny.html

Running with the same three photos, I'm guessing?

Re the BBM, how about saying where she lived, since the high school drew from a fairly large area. Here's a suggestion for this part:

"Sylvia was a 1971 graduate of Tottenville High School, where she played the flute and piccolo and was a member of the marching band. She lived on Goodall Street near Great Kills Harbor and loved all animals, especially marine life."
​

I don't remember, was she also in an orchestra in high school? I don't remember hearing what the HS version of the regular (non-marching) band was called. If we know, we could say "where she played flute and piccolo in the orchestra and marching band." If we don't know, the above at least adds a little about who she was ... do with it what you will.

ETA re your later post, which I just saw: I feel confident that MMQC confirmed SL was in the high school marching band.
JMO, but I also think it's unlikely someone would take this up in college without the prior experience, but that's just me talking.

 

[Pink Panther]

Def. one of the problems with these old cases is that they took place before the time when everything went right up online. We are at the mercy of those newspapers whose owners have taken the time to continue converting their historical archives into digital media. SILive is not strong in this regard, IMO ... and you need a paid subscription to access the archives they have codified. I don't have one and have had really bad luck searching their files for anything related to this case.

What are you thinking the connection might be between the Leahy murder and SL? That SL could have gotten caught up in a similar situation, perhaps at the hands of the same two ruthless burglars, the night she disappeared? It doesn't seem like these two made any attempt to hide Arthur Leahy's body ... and if SL died, someone certainly hid hers. Just wondering what direction your thoughts are going in.

Sorry. I don't mean to mislead. The connections just made me want to know more. (The date, the place, a murder). There are, most probably no connections at all, but I do find it odd that there wasn't a single article about this man's murder. It says a lot about the LE department's willingness to share and the media's desire to document/inquire.

moo

ETA - Sometimes researching from a completely different angle, gives information that would not otherwise be found. For example, it would be interesting to know why the golf course grounds needed to be guarded/patrolled. Was there a problem in the area? If so, of what sort? Also - burglars don't often kill. So what happened here? What went wrong and why did they feel the need to kill? Was there "organized" criminal activity? etc...

 

[Pink Panther]

More questions…I know, I know…Probably impossible to answer but, what was Sylvia's father's job? Why did he go to Wagner's college every day? Was he a professor, a janitor, what? We've heard that he was hard-working but what exactly did he do? He was connected to the college she went to so maybe there's another connection to be followed there?

Also - I've read through the threads but seem to have not bumped into the posts that talk about the party where Sylvia got angry with her father. Can someone point me to those posts?

 

[Jmoose]

I really like the photos now. Three different facial angles.

Re the numbers, I suggested the DS number bc we know it's his case and I am loathe to see someone who tiptoes forward have to jump through hoops to get to him. However, JMoose, is that his direct line? Or does an admin pick up? I know the numbers listed on the posters are the DA's preference ... if it's his direct line, it may be presumptuous to include it. What do you think, JMoose? Your call really, Rose.

That is the phone number he gave me to use if I wanted to speak to him-I don't know who answers that number since he called me instead.

 

[GoingByMyGut]

More questions…I know, I know…Probably impossible to answer but, what was Sylvia's father's job? Why did he go to Wagner's college every day? Was he a professor, a janitor, what? We've heard that he was hard-working but what exactly did he do? He was connected to the college she went to so maybe there's another connection to be followed there?

Also - I've read through the threads but seem to have not bumped into the posts that talk about the party where Sylvia got angry with her father. Can someone point me to those posts?

BBM1: JL, Sr., was a handyman/mechanic at Wagner. He learned a trade in the military, seems to have been related to metal work, IIRC. Somewhere along the way, we also heard he was a gymnast and that he could do things like walk on his hands. MMQC said he even trained actors in a circus film in which Burt Lancaster appears, again IIRC, but this may have been pre-war. We know very little about this.

BBM2: Someone else may give a better answer than this, if a particular post comes to mind, but I think these are pretty well scattered throughout the four threads. Do you know how to use the search tool? Look at the top of this page. Right under the Websleuths banner, there's a search box on the right side. You don't want that -- it searches the entire website. Now look lower, where the thread starts. Right above the first post, there's a menu bar, and one of the options on the bar is a drop down menu labeled "Search this thread." That searches just this thread -- SL's thread 4 -- and the option exists on every page of every thread. If I were you, I'd go to thread 1 (link at bottom of this page) and search "party." Threads 1 and 2 will probably give you the best results. If there are too many, try "graduation party."

To the best of my recall, all we know about the party is:

• It was a graduation party, in spite of being so late in the summer (Labor Day Weekend, IIRC, just days before SL vanished) and so long after graduation.
• It was a pool party and was held in SL's backyard.
• The guests were SL's friends from Wagner, plus MMQC.
• The BF/F was not there, for reasons unknown to us.
• At some point in the party, JL, Sr., did/said something (we don't know what) that angered SL and she kicked him.
• SL was angry enough with him that she slept at MMQC's house that night and may still not have been speaking to him when she disappeared the next weekend.
• MMQC suggested, but provided no details, that whatever her father did was embarrassing to her in part because the Wagner friends' judgments.

If anyone recalls more, please add.

 

[GoingByMyGut]

Sorry. I don't mean to mislead. The connections just made me want to know more. (The date, the place, a murder). There are, most probably no connections at all, but I do find it odd that there wasn't a single article about this man's murder. It says a lot about the LE department's willingness to share and the media's desire to document/inquire.

moo

ETA - Sometimes researching from a completely different angle, gives information that would not otherwise be found. For example, it would be interesting to know why the golf course grounds needed to be guarded/patrolled. Was there a problem in the area? If so, of what sort? Also - burglars don't often kill. So what happened here? What went wrong and why did they feel the need to kill? Was there "organized" criminal activity? etc...

BBM1: I do think this is true, but I'm not sure of the extent to which it's true. For instance, we know SL's engagement announcement was published in the SL Advance, but that's not something we can find online. Many papers make sure to get at least their obits online, but I have had lousy luck searching those on SILive as well. JMO, but I I think the real assessment of what was covered and wasn't would require a trip to the library to search the Advance on microfilm. It's probably a resource you can only find in New York -- maybe even only on SI -- but none of us has been able to do that.

BBM2: That's a really good question! I guess, since golf courses tend to draw people with both money and leisure time, it's quite possible, given how many wealthy people/celebrities (and yes, mob personalities) have always lived in the area, that it was guarded for that reason, but I don't know. Do golf courses tend to do this? I don't know that either. Who the course drew might depend on the reputation/quality of the course too. There might be a history available on the La Tourette website?

 

[rosemadderlake]

I really like the photos now. Three different facial angles.

Re the numbers, I suggested the DS number bc we know it's his case and I am loathe to see someone who tiptoes forward have to jump through hoops to get to him. However, JMoose, is that his direct line? Or does an admin pick up? I know the numbers listed on the posters are the DA's preference ... if it's his direct line, it may be presumptuous to include it. What do you think, JMoose? Your call really, Rose.

Running with the same three photos, I'm guessing?

Re the BBM, how about saying where she lived, since the high school drew from a fairly large area. Here's a suggestion for this part:
[INDENT]"Sylvia was a 1971 graduate of Tottenville High School, where she played the flute and piccolo and was a member of the marching band. She lived on Goodall Street near Great Kills Harbor and loved all animals, especially marine life."
[/INDENT]

I don't remember, was she also in an orchestra in high school? I don't remember hearing what the HS version of the regular (non-marching) band was called. If we know, we could say "where she played flute and piccolo in the orchestra and marching band." If we don't know, the above at least adds a little about who she was ... do with it what you will.

ETA re your later post, which I just saw: I feel confident that MMQC confirmed SL was in the high school marching band.
JMO, but I also think it's unlikely someone would take this up in college without the prior experience, but that's just me talking.

That is the phone number he gave me to use if I wanted to speak to him-I don't know who answers that number since he called me instead.

Bbm: Me too. It's a good representation of Sylvia. I have been smitten with the B&W photos discovered this week, hidden in that proof sheet. I do believe those photos were taken for her engagement announcement. I wonder what her HS & Wagner yearbook photos are like. She really takes a wonderful photo - very natural with being photographed, too. Most people are not. (imo)

Bbm: Yes, same set of photos for press variations.

Bbm: Thank you , GBMG. This is perfect for the HS Alums who grew up on SI. And for those who continued at a college on SI, too.

Bbm: Ok, since there are two numbers and I still don't know which one is being referred to as Jmoose's contact #, I am going to keep the one on the draft doc. which is the the DA's office "agency contact # for Det. S. listed on Namus. The DA's office is also referred to in the SI article, last year. I think I will not include NamUs poster with different number, national contact vs local agency is my guess. Too confusing to present two #s.

 

[rosemadderlake]

More questions…I know, I know…Probably impossible to answer but, what was Sylvia's father's job? Why did he go to Wagner's college every day? Was he a professor, a janitor, what? We've heard that he was hard-working but what exactly did he do? He was connected to the college she went to so maybe there's another connection to be followed there?

Also - I've read through the threads but seem to have not bumped into the posts that talk about the party where Sylvia got angry with her father. Can someone point me to those posts?

BBM1: JL, Sr., was a handyman/mechanic at Wagner. He learned a trade in the military, seems to have been related to metal work, IIRC. Somewhere along the way, we also heard he was a gymnast and that he could do things like walk on his hands. MMQC said he even trained actors in a circus film in which Burt Lancaster appears, again IIRC, but this may have been pre-war. We know very little about this.

BBM2: Someone else may give a better answer than this, if a particular post comes to mind, but I think these are pretty well scattered throughout the four threads. Do you know how to use the search tool? Look at the top of this page. Right under the Websleuths banner, there's a search box on the right side. You don't want that -- it searches the entire website. Now look lower, where the thread starts. Right above the first post, there's a menu bar, and one of the options on the bar is a drop down menu labeled "Search this thread." That searches just this thread -- SL's thread 4 -- and the option exists on every page of every thread. If I were you, I'd go to thread 1 (link at bottom of this page) and search "party." Threads 1 and 2 will probably give you the best results. If there are too many, try "graduation party."

To the best of my recall, all we know about the party is:

• It was a graduation party, in spite of being so late in the summer (Labor Day Weekend, IIRC, just days before SL vanished) and so long after graduation.
• It was a pool party and was held in SL's backyard.
• The guests were SL's friends from Wagner, plus MMQC.
• The BF/F was not there, for reasons unknown to us.
• At some point in the party, JL, Sr., did/said something (we don't know what) that angered SL and she kicked him.
• SL was angry enough with him that she slept at MMQC's house that night and may still not have been speaking to him when she disappeared the next weekend.
• MMQC suggested, but provided no details, that whatever her father did was embarrassing to her in part because the Wagner friends' judgments.

If anyone recalls more, please add.

BBM - Pink Panther - we don't know too much about this but I have wondered about it, too. Possible it is one of the reasons for "no publicity" at the time. -Fight with father before disappearance, connections at Wagner, job prospects, etc. (imo)

IIRC - MMQC said SL father was in the maintenance department at Wagner in some sort of managerial capacity?

GBMG's pool party summation covers it.

Here are a few links to (areas on threads) where pool party is discussed. It has come up many times in all four threads.

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...en-Island-6-Sept-1975-1&p=9127222#post9127222

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...en-Island-6-Sept-1975-3&p=9589158#post9589158

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...en-Island-6-Sept-1975-3&p=9555667#post9555667

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...en-Island-6-Sept-1975-1&p=9144102#post9144102

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...en-Island-6-Sept-1975-3&p=9569760#post9569760

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...en-Island-6-Sept-1975-1&p=9125671#post9125671

 

[Pink Panther]

Thanks so much to all of you for helping me "get up to speed" on this case. Just a few more thoughts (not necessarily related to one another):

I haven't seen the comments regarding the possibility that JL had helped train actors for a Burt Lancaster movie (those posts seem to be gone?) but, "The Flame and the Arrow" (1950), "The Crimson Pirate" (1952) and "Trapeze" (1956) were all movies he did that had circus themes. Burt was from New York as well and he first joined the circus through The Union Settlement Hall and The Federal Theatre Project. The first two movies I listed actually caught the attention of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee who saw them as having "communist plots" intended to corrupt American minds. All this to say, perhaps if JL had been involved in these films; this was something that could frighten the family to lie low???

Regarding the "graduation party" in August…It's odd that SL's BF/F wasn't there. The assumption is that he couldn't make it. Maybe she hadn't told him about the party? Would that be something that would embarrass him and make him angry?

rosemadderlake - A very long time ago you made a reference to a possible relative of the BF/F's boyfriend who had served time in the NYPD. I have found the same connection and that uncle also attended Port Richmond High School.

All of this…moo.

ETA - A Leahy died in April, 1975. Before Sylvia's disappearance.

 

[Pink Panther]

A few last things…These, I find odd:

Jewish or not Jewish. MMBQ seemed to think that the family was Catholic. Or am I mistaken? The whole religious question seems to be unclear. Why?

German speaking or not. Again, MMBQ says that she never heard Sylvia speak German but the brother says that she did speak German with her mother. Why was this concealed from her best friend? (Why would this even be unusual given that she was born in Germany?)

Last but not least…Why was Eva so convinced that MMQC knew where Sylvia was? Did she have a reason to believe that her daughter would want to leave/disappear? It doesn't make sense. The family was traditional and seemingly, quite strict. Why would a mother then be so willing to simply accept that the daughter left of her own accord under the potential cover of a good friend? (It sounds like the PI that was hired was asked to find her with the assumption that she was alive and had decided to leave.)

moo

ETA - IF the BF/F did go to SL's home to speak with her parents, I do believe that he told them something about the "argument"… Did he say that she told him she had had an abortion? Did he say that she told him the family was Jewish? Did he say that she told him she had a party while he was away? Whatever he told them, it was enough for them to think that they had to be discreet in her, and their own regard. It was perhaps enough for them to believe that he was legitimately telling them what had transpired and maybe, just maybe, it was enough for them to think that the repurcussions were such that she would want to leave.