Queens Man Charged with Killing Parents in Separate Crimes

Bayside man is accused of slaying his mom and dad just 15 months apart

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A detective is accused of lying to the IRS.

A Queens man is charged with drowning his mother last year -- and then suffocating his father this year.

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced the indictment Tuesday of Gregory Cucchiara.

His mother, Giusepina Cucchiara, died on May 24, 2011. The prosecutor says she suffered a blow to the head, and then had her head submerged in water.

His father, Carmelo Cucchiara, died between Aug. 20 and Aug. 21. He apparently was smothered with a pillow, authorities said.

Francesca Ciaccio told the Daily News that the family had unsuccessfully tried to help her estranged brother overcome drug addiction.

The criminal complaint in the father's death said forensic evidence recovered under his fingernails matched the defendant's DNA profile.

His attorney did not immediately return a call for comment.

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