The Horrifying Murder of Alisa Pary: A Chilling True Crime Investigation
On August 10, 2005, a seemingly ordinary day in New York City turned tragic when Sema Pary returned home to find her house in disarray and her daughter's bedroom door locked. Upon police arrival, they discovered 18-year-old Alisa Pary dead in her bedroom. The young woman, who had recently graduated high school and was working to save money during her gap year, was found lying on the floor with a pillow over her face and a mattress covering her body.
The investigation revealed several potential suspects, including Alisa's controlling ex-boyfriend Morac, whose relationship had faced opposition due to their different religious backgrounds. Detectives also questioned Peter Sullivan, a coworker seven years Alisa's senior who had shown interest in her, and a group of landscapers who had been working in the area. The medical examiner determined Alisa died from asphyxiation, with evidence suggesting she had engaged in consensual sexual activity within 24 hours of her death.
Key Takeaways
Eighteen-year-old Alisa Pary was found dead in her bedroom after her mother discovered their home had been broken into and ransacked.
The investigation focused on multiple suspects including her possessive ex-boyfriend, a coworker with romantic interest, and landscapers working nearby.
Forensic evidence indicated Alisa died from asphyxiation with the crime scene suggesting her killer may have been someone she knew.
The Incident at Sema Pary's Residence
On August 10, 2005, Sema Pary returned home around 7:00 PM to discover her house in disarray. The back door was unlocked, papers scattered across the floor, drawers opened, and items strewn about. When her attempts to contact her 18-year-old daughter Alisa failed, a frightened Sema approached her daughter's locked bedroom door.
Too afraid to enter alone, Sema contacted emergency services and waited outside for police assistance. Upon arrival, officers forced open Alisa's bedroom door to make a tragic discovery. Alisa Pary lay deceased on her bedroom floor, her body carefully arranged with a pillow covering her face, a towel underneath her, and a mattress placed over her.
The crime scene revealed several important details:
Alisa's hair was still wet, with water in the bathtub
She was found unclothed
Burst capillaries were visible on her face
No significant neck injuries were present
Blood stains appeared on the towel beneath her
Investigators determined the crime occurred between 1:00 PM when Alisa was scheduled to leave for work, and 7:00 PM when her mother returned home. Approximately several hundred dollars worth of jewelry was missing from the residence.
Through neighbor interviews, police identified five landscapers working in the area during the estimated timeframe. Each cooperated with investigators by providing DNA samples and fingerprints. The careful positioning of Alisa's body suggested she likely knew her attacker, who possibly felt remorse after the act.
Alisa's half-brother Raviv Gabai, who ran a kosher cookie business in another part of the city, rushed to the scene upon hearing the news. During questioning, he directed investigators toward Alisa's ex-boyfriend Morac as a potential suspect. Their relationship had faced challenges—Alisa being an Orthodox Jew and Morac from a Muslim family. According to Raviv, Morac had exhibited controlling behaviors, including:
Stalking Alisa to and from work
Previously breaking into her home uninvited
Attempting to reconcile their relationship against her wishes
Morac was spotted at the crime scene perimeter and subsequently brought in for questioning. He lacked a solid alibi for the critical timeframe and provided DNA samples before release. His appearance at Alisa's funeral caused distress for Sema, who demanded his removal.
The medical examiner determined Alisa died from asphyxiation caused by compression of her mouth, nose, and neck. Evidence indicated consensual sexual contact within 24 hours of her death.
Peter Sullivan, a coworker seven years Alisa's senior, also became a person of interest. Witnesses reported observing heated arguments between Peter and Alisa in the days preceding her death. During questioning, Peter acknowledged his romantic interest in Alisa but stated she had declined his invitations, claiming she lacked time for dating.
Finding of Alisa Pary's Death
Sema's Homecoming and Emergency Call
On August 10, 2005, Sema Pary returned to her New York City home around 7:00 p.m. to discover something deeply concerning. The back door was unlocked, which was unusual, and the interior of the house was in complete disarray. Papers were scattered across the floor, drawers stood open, and household items were strewn everywhere.
Sema initially attempted to contact her 18-year-old daughter Alisa by phone, receiving no response. Growing increasingly worried, she approached Alisa's bedroom door only to find it locked. The situation triggered immediate fear in Sema, compelling her to exit the house.
Rather than face the unknown situation alone, she promptly called 911 from outside the residence and waited for authorities to arrive. She reported a possible break-in involving multiple intruders, her maternal instincts sensing something was terribly wrong.
Police Intervention and Bedroom Entry
When officers arrived, they immediately entered the residence to investigate. They approached Alisa's locked bedroom door and forcefully broke it open. The door gave way with a loud crack under their pressure.
What they discovered inside was devastating. Alisa Pary lay lifeless on her bedroom floor. Her body was positioned in a distinctive manner:
A pillow had been placed over her face
A towel was underneath her body
A mattress had been laid over her
Her hair was still wet, suggesting she had recently showered
The officers delivered the tragic news to Sema, whose anguished cries echoed throughout the neighborhood. The sound was so heart-wrenching that neighbors emerged from their homes to investigate the commotion. For Sema, the realization that her daughter—whom she had embraced just hours earlier—was now gone proved unbearable.
Initial forensic examination revealed few external injuries apart from burst capillaries on Alisa's face. The crime scene team collected fingerprints throughout the room and secured several key pieces of evidence:
The pillow found covering her face
The towel underneath her body, which contained blood stains
Skin samples for potential DNA testing
Crime Scene Analysis
Meeting with Ms. Pary
On August 10, 2005, Sema Pary returned to her New York City home around 7:00 PM to discover her residence in disarray. The back door was unlocked, which immediately raised her concern. Papers were scattered across the floor, drawers left open, and household items displaced throughout the home.
Ms. Pary initially attempted to contact her 18-year-old daughter Alisa by phone but received no response. When she approached Alisa's bedroom door and found it locked, she became increasingly alarmed. Rather than forcing entry herself, Ms. Pary exited the home and contacted emergency services.
During her interview, Ms. Pary described Alisa as a friendly, outgoing young woman who had recently graduated high school. The teenager had been taking a year off to work and save money before continuing her education. Ms. Pary noted that she and her daughter maintained a close relationship, particularly after her separation from Alisa's father approximately one year prior.
Examination of Property Crime
Investigators documented evidence of a forced entry through the rear door of the residence. The home showed clear signs of being searched, with approximately several hundred dollars worth of jewelry reported missing from the premises.
When officers gained entry to Alisa's locked bedroom, they discovered the young woman's body. She was unclothed, with a pillow covering her face, a towel beneath her, and a mattress placed over her body. Her hair remained wet, suggesting she had recently showered, which was corroborated by standing water in the bathtub.
Forensic Findings:
Minimal external injuries beyond burst capillaries on her face
No significant neck trauma visible to investigators
Blood stains present on the towel beneath the victim
Skin samples collected from the scene
The medical examiner later determined asphyxiation as the cause of death, resulting from compression of the mouth, nose, and neck. Evidence indicated that Alisa had engaged in consensual sexual activity within 24 hours preceding her death.
Community Canvass and Potential Suspects
Neighborhood interviews revealed that five landscapers had been working in the vicinity during the estimated timeframe of the murder (between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM). The workers were cooperative, providing DNA samples and fingerprints when requested by investigators.
Detectives identified several persons of interest through their investigation:
Morac - Alisa's ex-boyfriend
Previously exhibited controlling behavior
Known to have stalked Alisa following their breakup
Had once entered her home uninvited while she slept
Reportedly had connections to criminal elements
Was observed at the crime scene perimeter after police arrival
Later attended Alisa's funeral, causing distress to her family
Could not provide a solid alibi for the timeframe in question
Peter Sullivan - Coworker at transportation company
Seven years Alisa's senior
Had expressed romantic interest in Alisa
Witnesses reported observing heated arguments between them shortly before her death
Admitted to investigators his unrequited interest in dating Alisa
Detectives noted that certain crime scene elements, particularly the careful covering of the victim's body, suggested the perpetrator may have known Alisa personally and experienced remorse after the murder.
Alisa Pary's Background
Alisa Pary was a young woman of 18 years who had recently graduated from high school. She was taking a year off to work and save money before continuing her education. Growing up in a religious household, Alisa's parents had separated approximately one year before her tragic death, with her father relocating to Israel afterward.
Despite being described by her mother as friendly and outgoing, Alisa didn't have many close friends. She lived with her mother Sema Pary in New York City, where the two maintained a very close relationship. Sema often spoke of how she looked forward to seeing her daughter get married and have children someday.
Alisa had a half-brother named Raviv Gabai who ran a kosher cookie business in another part of the city. He maintained a relationship with his half-sister and mother despite living separately with his wife.
Her romantic history included a relationship with a man named Morac, who came from a Muslim family. Their religious differences (Alisa being an Orthodox Jew and Morac being Muslim) created tension, with their families opposing the relationship. After their breakup, Morac exhibited concerning behavior, including:
Stalking Alisa to and from work
Following her to monitor her activities and social connections
Breaking into her home once while she was sleeping
At her workplace, a transportation company, Alisa had attracted the attention of coworker Peter Sullivan, who was seven years her senior. Witnesses reported seeing them in an intense argument days before her death. Peter had shown romantic interest in Alisa, asking her out to dinner and movies, but she had declined his invitations citing lack of time.
On August 10, 2005, Alisa's life was tragically cut short in her New York City home, leaving her family devastated and initiating a complex investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Family Relationships
Sema's Emotional Distress
On August 10, 2005, Sema Pary returned home around 7:00 p.m. to find her house in disarray with papers scattered across the floor, drawers opened, and her daughter's bedroom door locked. When she couldn't reach Alisa by phone, Sema became increasingly frightened and made the decision to call 911 from outside the house. After police forced open the bedroom door, they discovered 18-year-old Alisa lying lifeless on the floor.
Sema's grief manifested as a heart-wrenching cry that resonated throughout the neighborhood, drawing concerned neighbors from their homes. Her emotional testimony to investigators revealed the close bond she shared with her daughter, describing Alisa as a friendly, outgoing young woman who had recently graduated high school and was working to save money before continuing her education.
Raviv's Response and Concerns
Raviv Gabai, Alisa's half-brother who ran a kosher cookie business in another part of the city, immediately rushed to the crime scene upon hearing about his sister's death to provide emotional support for his mother. During subsequent interviews with detectives, Raviv shared critical information about Alisa's former relationship.
Raviv specifically pointed to Alisa's ex-boyfriend as a potential suspect, describing him as controlling and aggressive. According to Raviv, this individual had been desperately trying to rekindle their relationship following their breakup. He expressed strong conviction that this man played a significant role in his sister's death.
Alisa's Relationship with Her Father
Alisa was raised in a deeply religious household, but her parents had separated approximately one year before the tragic incident. Following the separation, her father relocated to Israel while Alisa continued living with her mother in New York City.
The family dynamics shifted significantly after this parental separation, leaving Alisa primarily under her mother's care during the final year of her life. Despite these changes in the family structure, Alisa had maintained her religious upbringing and continued her educational and professional pursuits with plans for her future.
Examination and Forensic Investigation
Crime Scene Evidence Examination
The investigation of Alisa Pary's murder began immediately after her body was discovered in her bedroom on August 10, 2005. When authorities entered the locked bedroom, they found the 18-year-old lying naked on the floor. A pillow had been placed over her face, with a towel underneath her body and a mattress covering her. Her wet hair indicated she had recently showered, confirmed by water still present in the bathtub. The meticulous positioning of the body—specifically the covering with the mattress—suggested to investigators that the perpetrator likely knew the victim and felt remorse after the act.
The house showed clear signs of disturbance, with papers scattered across floors, open drawers, and disarray throughout. The back door was unlocked when Alisa's mother Sema returned home at approximately 7:00 PM, suggesting this may have been the point of entry. Approximately $200 worth of jewelry was reported missing, initially pointing to a potential burglary gone wrong.
DNA and Fingerprint Collection
Investigators conducted a thorough collection of forensic evidence from the scene. Fingerprints were lifted from various surfaces throughout the residence, with special attention paid to the bedroom where Alisa was found. The pillow covering her face and the towel beneath her body were carefully packaged and sent to the laboratory for further analysis. Blood stains discovered on the towel were prioritized for testing.
Several individuals provided DNA samples and fingerprints during the investigation:
Five landscapers who had been working in the neighborhood
Morac, Alisa's ex-boyfriend
Peter Sullivan, Alisa's coworker who had shown romantic interest in her
Other persons of interest identified during the investigation
The collection process was extensive, as investigators sought to create a comprehensive database for comparison against evidence found at the crime scene.
Preliminary Forensic Findings
The medical examiner determined asphyxiation as the cause of death, noting that both Alisa's mouth and nose had been covered while pressure was applied to her neck. Despite this violence, her body showed remarkably few external injuries beyond burst capillaries on her face. The absence of defensive wounds or other trauma suggested she may have been surprised by her attacker or possibly knew them.
The autopsy revealed evidence of sexual contact within 24 hours prior to her death. Based on the lack of trauma, forensic experts concluded this activity was likely consensual. This finding was significant as it narrowed the timeline of events and potentially connected to her relationship with suspects.
The most crucial pieces of evidence included:
Biological samples: DNA from the towel and skin samples
Fingerprint evidence: Collected from throughout the home
Time of death: Established between 1:00 PM (when Alisa was to leave for work) and 7:00 PM (when her mother returned home)
Initial forensic results created a foundation for the investigation, though processing the collected evidence would require additional time before conclusive matches could be established.
Suspects and Investigation Leads
Involvement of Neighborhood Workers
During the initial phase of the investigation, authorities identified five landscapers working in the neighborhood during the estimated timeframe of the crime—between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM on August 10, 2005. These individuals had legitimate reason to be in the area as they were maintaining lawns nearby. Investigators considered that someone could have approached the Par residence's back door unnoticed amid the normal yard maintenance activities occurring throughout the neighborhood.
All five landscapers fully cooperated with law enforcement. They provided fingerprints and DNA samples willingly, though analyzing these materials would take time. Detectives needed to pursue other potential suspects while laboratory work proceeded.
Morac: Former Relationship and Concerning Behavior
Detectives learned from Alisa's half-brother Raviv about her ex-boyfriend Morac, who had displayed troubling behaviors following their breakup. The relationship had faced significant challenges from the beginning—Alisa practiced Orthodox Judaism while Morac came from a Muslim family, creating tension between their respective families.
After their separation, Morac reportedly:
Stalked Alisa, following her to and from work
Monitored her social activities and companions
Once entered her home uninvited while she was sleeping
His behavior raised substantial concerns among investigators, particularly when they discovered his connections to criminal elements. Notably, Morac was observed watching from behind police tape at the crime scene. When questioned, he provided no solid alibi for the crucial hours between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
The tension surrounding Morac intensified when he attended Alisa's funeral, causing Sema Par to become visibly distressed and demand his removal. Investigators considered multiple possible motivations for his attendance:
To present himself as a grieving former partner
To gather information from conversations at the service
To monitor the investigation's progress firsthand
Peter Sullivan's Workplace Connection
Peter Sullivan, a coworker at Alisa's transportation company who was seven years her senior, emerged as another person of interest. Witnesses reported observing intense arguments between Peter and Alisa in the days preceding her death, prompting investigators to examine whether rejection might have triggered a violent response.
During questioning, Peter acknowledged:
He had shown romantic interest in Alisa
He had invited her out multiple times
She had declined his advances, citing lack of time
Detectives needed to determine whether these workplace tensions could have escalated into something more sinister. The autopsy findings, which indicated consensual sexual contact within 24 hours of Alisa's death and asphyxiation as the cause of death, added complexity to their investigation of both Morac and Peter as potential suspects.
Ongoing Investigation Process
Identifying the Perpetrator
The search for Alisa Pary's killer intensified as detectives pieced together the events of August 10, 2005. The timeline established that the crime occurred between 1:00 PM, when Alisa was preparing to leave for work, and 7:00 PM, when her mother Sema returned home to find the house ransacked. Investigators noted several key observations at the crime scene. Alisa was found naked on her bedroom floor with wet hair, suggesting she had recently showered. A pillow covered her face, a towel lay beneath her, and a mattress had been placed over her body.
The medical examiner determined the cause of death was asphyxiation, with evidence of compression to her nose, mouth, and neck. Blood stains and skin samples on the towel were collected for DNA testing. Notably, the crime scene arrangement—with the body carefully covered—led detectives to believe the killer knew Alisa personally and experienced remorse after the act.
Forensic teams collected fingerprints throughout the house and gathered biological evidence for laboratory analysis. The back door had been unlocked, and approximately a few hundred dollars worth of jewelry was missing, initially suggesting a burglary gone wrong.
Investigative Strategy and Analysis of Suspects
Detectives pursued multiple persons of interest in this case:
Morac (Ex-Boyfriend):
Orthodox Jewish/Muslim relationship that faced family opposition
History of stalking Alisa after their breakup
Previously broke into her home while she was sleeping
Had connections to criminal elements
No alibi for the critical timeframe
Appeared at the crime scene and later attended her funeral despite family objections
Peter Sullivan:
Coworker at the transportation company
7 years older than Alisa
Expressed romantic interest that was not reciprocated
Witnesses reported intense arguments between them days before the murder
Possible motive: rejection and jealousy
Landscaping Crew:
Five workers observed in the vicinity during the estimated time of murder
Their legitimate work in the area would not have raised suspicion
All provided DNA samples and fingerprints
Cooperated fully with the investigation
The investigators collected DNA samples from all suspects while awaiting laboratory results from evidence found at the scene. They also examined cell phone records, particularly those of Morac, to establish movements and communications on the day of the murder. The investigation carefully weighed whether this was a crime of passion from a rejected suitor or if there were other motives yet to be uncovered.
Community's Reaction
News of Alisa Pary's tragic death spread quickly through the neighborhood. When the police officer delivered the devastating news to Sema, her anguished cries echoed throughout the area. Neighbors emerged from their homes one by one, drawn by the sound of her grief, seeking to understand what had happened.
The tight-knit community was shaken by the brutal murder of the 18-year-old. Alisa's funeral became a particularly charged event when her ex-boyfriend Morac appeared among the mourners. His presence caused immediate distress to Alisa's family. Sema, overwhelmed with grief and anger, screamed for him to leave the service.
Many community members speculated about the religious differences between Alisa and Morac as a possible factor in their relationship troubles. Alisa, from an Orthodox Jewish family, had dated Morac, who came from a Muslim background. Their families' disapproval of the interfaith relationship had reportedly created tension prior to her death.
The police presence in the neighborhood continued as investigators questioned locals about any unusual activities they might have noticed. Neighbors provided valuable information, including sightings of landscapers working in the area during the suspected timeframe of the murder. This community input helped detectives establish a timeline and identify potential persons of interest.
Even those who didn't know Alisa personally felt the impact of such violence occurring in their neighborhood. The community remained vigilant as police conducted their investigation, understanding that the perpetrator might be someone known to them.
The Memorial Service and Its Developments
Morac's Unwelcome Appearance and Family Distress
Alisa Pary's funeral became a scene of additional trauma for her already grieving family. Morac, Alisa's ex-boyfriend who had been questioned by police, made the controversial decision to attend the service. His presence caused immediate distress among mourners, particularly for Sema Pary. When Alisa's mother spotted him among the attendees, she reacted with intense emotion, screaming and demanding that he leave the service immediately.
The ex-boyfriend's attendance raised multiple concerns for investigators observing the situation. His decision to appear at the funeral could have served several possible purposes: to present himself as a legitimately grieving former partner, to gather information from conversations at the service, or to maintain proximity to the ongoing investigation. This behavior added another layer of suspicion to his profile, especially given his lack of alibi for the critical timeframe between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the day of Alisa's death.
Community Response and Circulating Theories
The community's reaction to Alisa's death had begun even before the funeral. When Sema's anguished cries first rang through the neighborhood upon learning of her daughter's death, curious neighbors emerged from their homes one by one, drawn by the commotion and seeking information about the tragedy unfolding on their street.
Following Alisa's death, speculation about possible motives spread quickly among those following the case:
Religious tensions: Some wondered if the relationship between Alisa, an Orthodox Jew, and Morac, from a Muslim family, had created dangerous conflicts
Robbery gone wrong: The disarray of the home and missing jewelry valued at several hundred dollars suggested a potential break-in
Stalking escalation: Morac's documented history of following Alisa and once breaking into her bedroom while she slept pointed to concerning obsessive behavior
Workplace rejection: Peter Sullivan's interest in Alisa and their reported intense argument days before her death introduced another potential motive
As community members gathered at the funeral and elsewhere, these theories circulated while investigators continued collecting evidence, including DNA samples and cell phone records, to determine who had committed this shocking crime against the 18-year-old who had just graduated high school.
Concluding Remarks
The investigation into Alisa Pary's murder presented several potential suspects. The 18-year-old's death on August 10, 2005, shocked her New York City neighborhood, especially her mother Sema who discovered the disturbing scene upon returning home. The police identified three primary persons of interest.
Morac, Alisa's ex-boyfriend, demonstrated concerning behavior before her death. His controlling tendencies included stalking her and even breaking into her home previously. The religious differences between their families created additional tensions in their relationship. His appearance at the funeral despite family objections and lack of alibi during the critical hours raised suspicions.
The landscaping crew working in the neighborhood also warranted investigation. The back door entry point and missing jewelry initially suggested a burglary gone wrong. All five workers provided DNA samples and cooperated with authorities.
Peter Sullivan, Alisa's older coworker, represented another avenue of inquiry. Witnesses reported intense arguments between them shortly before her death. His unrequited romantic interest in Alisa potentially established a motive if rejection triggered violence.
The medical examiner determined asphyxiation as the cause of death, noting Alisa had engaged in consensual sexual activity within 24 hours of her murder. The crime scene's careful arrangement—with the body covered by a mattress and a pillow placed over her face—suggested the perpetrator knew the victim personally.
The investigation's complexity stemmed from multiple potential motives: a relationship gone wrong, a burglary with unexpected consequences, or workplace tensions that escalated tragically. DNA evidence collected from the scene became crucial to identifying which suspect, if any, was responsible for ending the young woman's promising life.
