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A Brooklyn man has been arrested and charged for allegedly killing three of his elderly neighbors at a senior housing development after they reportedly failed to pay him for helping them run errands.
Kevin Gavin, 66, is suspected of murdering Myrtle McKenny, 82, Jacolia James, 83, and most recently, Juanita Caballero, 78 - all of whom lived at the Carter G. Woodson Houses in Brownsville, police said Thursday.
Caballero was pronounced dead in her apartment last Friday after her son arrived to find her lying on the floor with a telephone cord wrapped around her neck.
The NYPD on Thursday confirmed Gavin had been identified as a suspect in the investigation, which ultimately linked him to the unsolved murders of two other women killed in the building in the last five years.
© Provided by Daily MailJuanita Caballero (pictured) 78, was found dead at her apartment on Friday with a telephone cord wrapped around her neck, police said
© Provided by Daily MailKevin Gavin, 66, is suspected of killing Caballero at the Carter G. Woodson Houses in Brownsville (pictured) as well as two other women in the building in 2015 and 2019
He is also accused of killing McKenny, whose body was discovered in her home by her health aide in November 2015.
Her death was initially believed to have been a result of natural causes, but was later ruled a homicide after funeral home workers discovered a stab wound on her neck.
Gavin is believed to have struck again four years later in April, when the body of Jacolia James was found lying face down in her apartment by her grandson.
The relative told officers he had visited his grandmother earlier that night around 7pm, only to return to her home four hours later to find her dead, NYPD Chief of Detectives Rodney Harrison said in a press conference.
Police said James had injuries to her face and neck that were 'highly suspicious', but the case had gone cold up until now.
© Provided by Daily MailMyrtle McKenny, 82
© Provided by Daily MailJacolia James
Gavin, who had a history of drug charges, was familiar with many of the residents of the building, where he also lives, and had agreed to help some of the elderly tenants with errands.
'He had a relationship with the victims. What we believe at this time is it sounds like the reason why he might have committed these acts is over an argument over money or finances,' Harrison said.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said prosecutors are now preparing to file an indictment against Gavin and the investigation is ongoing.
'I am confident the defendant took advantage of his relationship with these women, was allowed into their homes, and did unspeakable acts of violence against them,' Gonzalez said Thursday.
'I think that this arrest will have a profound impact on the sense of public safety in Brooklyn.'
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