Orsolya Gaal Murder: Handyman Lover Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison

A 44-year-old man, who pleaded guilty to stabbing a 51-year-old Queens woman to death and stuffing her body into a duffel bag earlier this month, was slapped with 25 years in jail.

David Bonola was awaiting trial for Orsolya Gaal's murder when he pleaded guilty, reported Fox 5 New York.

Assistant District Attorney John Kosinski told Queens Judge Michael Aloise in court Wednesday that the "defendant stands before you today having taken responsibility for this violent and senseless act of taking the life of Orsolya Gaal." He added that it devastated Gaal's family, "shocked the community and left two sons to go forward in life without their mother."

The victim's husband and their sons were not present in the courtroom for the sentencing. Bonola’s family was also didn't show up, reported New York Post.

The April 2022 murder happened after Gaal and Bonola, who had been romantically involved, had an argument in her house, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) said. According to the police, she was stabbed in excess of 55 times inside the house with her son in a bedroom upstairs then she was stuffed inside a duffel bag. Her body was dumped a few blocks from her Forest Hills home. As her body was dragged, a trail of blood marked the path.

ABC News reported that Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement that this was a "brutal killing, and no amount of prison time can bring the victim back to her loved ones." She added that however, the jail sentence provides a "measure of justice and I hope the victim's family can rest easier knowing that the person responsible was held fully accountable."

Bonola gave up his right to appeal his conviction, and he faces 5 years probation after his release. Originally, he was charged with second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal tampering.

He was the family's handyman and had access to a hidden key to the family's home worth million dollars. There was no sign of forced entry at the the time of the murder, and police believe that he had been doing odd jobs for the family for the past few years.