EX-LOVER'S BUSTED AS HER KILLER

The ex-boyfriend of an NYPD criminologist who was found fatally stabbed inside her Sunnyside apartment last month was indicted by a grand jury last Thursday, May 21, for her slaying, it was announced.

Law enforcement sources identified the suspect as 23-year-old Gary McGurk of 58th Place in Woodside, who is accused of bludgeoning and knifing 24-year-old Michelle Lee. The victim was reportedly discovered by her roommate bound and bloodied inside their 41st Street residence on the morning of Apr. 27.

"The young woman had a bright and promising future which was abruptly cut short by her brutal and senseless murder, allegedly at the hands of the defendant," said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown in a statement. "This case will be vig- orously prosecuted to ensure that justice is served on behalf of the victim and her family."

According to the charges, McGurk—who, along with Lee, graduated from the John Jay College of Criminal Studies in Manhattan— allegedly bashed the victim in the head with a blunt object before stabbing her in the neck sometime on Sunday, Apr. 26.

Prosecutors noted that Lee's body was found the following morning tied to a bed.

The victim had been employed by the NYPD since September 2008 and was working at the department's laboratory in Queens.

Over the course of the investigation, according to the indictment, detectives determined that the suspect allegedly had Lee's Blackberry in his possession and concealed evidence containing the victim's blood. A steam iron and a knife were also found in McGurk's possession.

The perpetrator was indicted on six counts including second-degree murder, three counts of tampering with physical evidence and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison.

McGurk was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court last Friday morning, May 22 before Queens Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman, who ordered him held in custody without bail. The suspect is scheduled to return to court on June 4.

The 108th Precinct Detective Squad along with the Queens Homicide Squad and its Police Laboratory conducted the investigation along with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and members of the Queens District Attorney's office.

Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Charles A. Testagrossa, Assistant District Attorney Peter T. Reese, chief of the D.A.'s Homicide Investigations Bureau and Assistant District Attorney George Kanellopoulos are prosecuting the case.

It was noted that the indictment is an accusation and that McGurk is presumed innocent until proven guilty.