A mother of two was killed in her Long Island home Sunday, a "victim of violence," according to police, though it's not yet clear how she died.
Monica Lino, 36, was found dead by a relative on the first floor of the house on Berkshire Drive in Farmingville, police say. Charles Pray, 34, of Bay Shore, was charged Monday with second-degree murder in the woman's death.
Police would not elaborate on the circumstances of Lino's death except to say she had been the victim of a violent crime. Pray's relationship to Lino wasn't immediately clear.
Lino's relatives said her children, ages 9 and 12, were not in the home and that they have been spending the summer with family in Portugal. Her husband committed suicide several years ago.
Lino had been at home recovering from a motorcycle crash that left her on crutches or in a wheelchair.
"I called her and I invited her for dinner, and she said, 'Oh, that's OK, Aunt Marie, I have plans,'" Desousa recalled in tears Monday.
Neighbors said they could not understand how a friendly neighborhood mother became the victim of a horrific crime.
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"She was a beautiful, kind, loving mother," said Melissa Tanzi. "The children were always first."
Pray was scheduled to be arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip Tuesday. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.
