New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-04
MutiIated Body of 18-Year-0Id
Bride Discovered by Young
HuSband-Baby, Near
BY, Unhurt.
IGNORED THREATS TO KILL
Letter to Salvatore Nocero De-
manded Money-Former Suitor
Mentioned in Case-Italian
Detectives Seek Prowler
in Neighborhood.

knowing that Salvatore Nocero's
whole life was centred in his eighteen
year-old wife. whom he had married
two years ago, and their baby boy,
now ten months old, writers of letters
sent TO him demanding money pointed
out that the alternative would be the
death Of his wife and child.
The letters began in September and
directed that the money be left at a
certain street corner in Brooklyn.
While they alarmed the Noceros, the
twenty-two-year-o husband decided
not to comply, but the threat was so
strong in his mind that when he left
the New York Central yards for lunch
con at noon and when the work day
ended at $50 o'clock he hurried, with
his father Law. Anasoti Avanzota, to
his home. in the rear Of the ground
floor of No. 346 East 10th street.
The last letter came on october l.,
Columbus Day. The writer declared
II was the last letter that would be
sent and that unless the money de-
manded were posted the threat would
become effective.
Had Warned Wife.
Because of this Nocero told his wife
that when a summons at the bell came
she was 10 spring open the outer door
but to keep the apartment door locked
until the caller announced who he was
At . o'clock Yesterday afternoon Mrs
Nathan Berzofski. a tenant OF the sec
ond floor. was seated at her window
She saw n Young man walking hstless-
Iv IN ard down on the opposite side
~ the street. turning his gaze con-
stantly toward the door Of the tenc-
ment. He came over once or twice 10
the entrance way, but did not try 70
enter until the afternoon had worn on.
Tben the vestibule bell brought Mrs.
Rerzofski downstairs. The young man
was there.
"Are YOU looking for me?' she asked.
mo. I lust wanted to find out II that
family living in the rear is at home. l
rang the bell. but I didn't get any an
swer."
Soon after he had gone Mrs. Ber-
zofsM departed. She returned she
saws at $50 O'Clock. and as she stepped
into the vestibule she came right be-
hind Mrs. Nocero.
II was AT 80 o'clock that Nocero
and his father-in-law reached the
house. They pressed the button. wait
Cd and then pressed it again. but there
came no answer.
The bell of another tenant was
thumbed and the door was opened. AS
Nocero and Avanzota stepped into the
main hall the husband noticed that the
apartment door was slightly ajar.
Something's wrong" he exclaimed,
and ran into the kitchen.
Finds Wife Murdered.
His wife was dead. She lay face
down on the Kitchen floor, her neck
sIashed and her head beaten in. the
babv. Calogeno. was squatted unin-
iured at her side, toying with a piece
Of coal. The baby's dress was stained
from contact
Mrs. Nocero had just had time 10
take off her hat when the murderer
came upon her and struck her on the
hack of the head with something me-
tallic. evidently, and then, while she
Law dazed. had. with dull knife
elashed her on the back and both sides
~ the neck. one cut under the ear be-
ing v-shaped and several inches long
There was no weapon in the room.
The young man Mrs. Berzofsh sa"
was about twenty-one: five feet four
inches tall; weighed 13O pounds, and
wore a gray sweater. Whether Mrs.
Nocero had another suitor at the time
Nocero planned marriage was some
thing that could not be drawn from the
husband. Italian detectives have the
In charge