The Kissel Brothers: Inside the Shocking Murders and Financial Crimes of Andrew and Robert Kissel
Financial crimes come in many forms, but few are as deceptive and devastating as those perpetrated by skilled con artists. The case of Andrew Kissel stands out as a particularly complex example of high-stakes fraud that ended in violence. In Greenwich, Connecticut, one of America's wealthiest communities, Kissel built an image of success as a real estate developer with luxury properties, vehicles, and investments spanning multiple industries.
Behind the façade of wealth and generosity lay a pattern of deception and theft that ultimately led to his downfall. Andrew Kissel's story becomes even more tragic when viewed alongside the fate of his younger brother Robert, a successful investment banker who was murdered in Hong Kong in 2003. The Kissel brothers, despite their different personalities and paths to success, both met violent ends that shocked their communities and left investigators searching for answers.
Key Takeaways
Andrew Kissel orchestrated a $40 million fraud scheme primarily targeting banks before his murder in 2006.
Despite outward appearances of success, Kissel's excessive spending and compulsive stealing eventually led to his impending guilty plea for bank fraud.
The Kissel family tragedy was compounded by the earlier murder of Andrew's brother Robert in Hong Kong, creating a bizarre parallel of violent deaths.
Profile of Steve Garfinkle and Major Financial Crime Investigations
Steve Garfinkle is an FBI agent specialized in investigating complex financial crimes. Throughout his career, he has worked on some of the most significant fraud cases in American history, including the Bernard Madoff scheme which involved over $170 billion in fraudulent transactions—the largest fraud ever recorded.
Garfinkle's portfolio includes other notable cases such as the Sam Israel Bayou hedge fund case ($451 million) and the Andrew Kissle case ($40 million). His expertise lies in understanding the psychology and methods of financial criminals who, as he notes, are ultimately motivated by greed.
The Andrew Kissle case proved particularly unusual in Garfinkle's career trajectory. Kissle was a Connecticut real estate developer who defrauded banks using paperwork rather than violence. His criminal activities came to a shocking end when he was brutally murdered in April 2006—just days before he was scheduled to plead guilty to bank fraud charges.
Garfinkle was called to identify Kissle's body—a rare occurrence for someone who typically works white-collar crime cases. The murder scene was particularly gruesome, with Kissle found bound, gagged, and stabbed multiple times in the basement of his rented Greenwich mansion.
Key Characteristics of Financial Fraudsters According to Garfinkle:
They offer "exclusive" investment opportunities
They cultivate appearances of success and legitimacy
They maintain convincing facades of wealth and business acumen
They believe they can avoid consequences indefinitely
Garfinkle's work reveals how seemingly respectable business figures can lead double lives—appearing successful while systematically defrauding others. The Kissle case demonstrated how financial crimes can sometimes intersect with violent outcomes, especially when perpetrators have accumulated numerous enemies through their deceptions.
Understanding Ponzi Schemes and Their Psychological Draw
Ponzi schemes operate through deception, fueled by perpetrators who are ultimately motivated by financial gain. These fraudsters may present themselves as legitimate business owners or investment advisors, but their primary goal is to acquire your money.
FBI investigations have uncovered schemes ranging from millions to billions in stolen funds. The Bernard Madoff case stands as the largest fraud in history, with over $170 billion passing through the scheme during its operation. Other notable cases include the Bayou hedge fund case ($451 million) and the Andrew Kissel case ($40 million).
Key Characteristics of Ponzi Operators:
Project an image of success and wealth
Create a sense of exclusivity around their investments
Maintain a respectable public persona
Often live lavish lifestyles with expensive homes, vehicles, and possessions
Fraudsters frequently establish credibility through visible success. For example, Andrew Kissel positioned himself as a successful real estate management executive who owned apartment buildings. His online presence and lifestyle reinforced this perception, allowing him to gain trust before defrauding both investors and banks.
Many scheme operators display complex personalities. They may simultaneously be devoted family members or loyal friends while ruthlessly victimizing investors who trust them. This contradictory behavior makes identifying these individuals challenging until their schemes begin to unravel.
Warning Signs of Potential Fraud:
Excessive displays of wealth
Urgent pressure to invest
Promises of above-market returns
Lack of transparency in operations
Resistance to providing documentation
The psychological profile of many Ponzi operators includes an unwavering belief they'll escape consequences. They often demonstrate uncontrollable spending habits and a need for status symbols—larger cars, bigger boats, and other visible displays of wealth. This competitive drive for recognition frequently contributes to their eventual downfall.
Financial pressure eventually causes these schemes to collapse. As more investors request withdrawals, the mathematical impossibility of sustaining promised returns forces the fraud into the open, often resulting in legal consequences for the perpetrators.
The Life and Crimes of Andrew Kissel
Andrew Kissel emerged as a notable figure in Greenwich, Connecticut's elite real estate scene before his shocking murder in 2006. At 46, he had cultivated an image of success as president of a real estate management group and owner of various apartment buildings. Behind this facade of prosperity, however, lay a complex individual driven by greed and deception.
Born in New Jersey as the oldest of three children, Kissel grew up in a structured household with high parental expectations. Unlike his outgoing younger brother Robert, Andrew possessed a more reserved, monotone personality. Even in childhood games of Monopoly, Andrew gravitated toward real estate while his brother handled banking—foreshadowing their future career paths.
By 1990, Andrew had established himself as a promising real estate developer in New York City. He married Haley Wolf, a former world champion skier from a prominent family. Their life together included two children, a Vermont ski house, and a prestigious New York co-op apartment where Andrew served as treasurer.
Kissel's financial activities expanded beyond real estate into various ventures including horses, an olive oil business, and theatrical investments. His extravagant lifestyle featured approximately 30 cars and an 85-90 foot yacht equipped with jet skis. This ostentatious display of wealth impressed many in his social circle, where he was known for his generosity and lavish spending habits.
Despite his apparent success, Andrew was secretly defrauding banks to maintain his lifestyle. FBI agent Steve Garfinkle described him bluntly: "Andrew was a liar, he was a thief." Rather than using violence, Kissel committed his crimes with "paper and a pen," eventually accumulating fraudulent gains of approximately $40 million.
His attorney, Philip Russell, painted a contradictory picture of his client: "He was a very good father to his children, a good friend to some of his friends, and the worst thing that ever happened to his investors." This inability to control his fraudulent impulses eventually led to legal consequences, with Kissel facing imminent guilty pleas for bank fraud charges in 2006.
The tragic ending came on April 3, 2006, when movers discovered Kissel's body in the basement of his rented mansion. He had been bound, gagged, blindfolded, and stabbed multiple times, ultimately bleeding to death from a jugular wound. The murder scene showed no signs of forced entry or struggle, indicating Kissel likely knew his killer.
Police investigations revealed Kissel had numerous enemies. His driver Carlos recalled Kissel once stating, "A lot of people hate me" and even expressing premonitions about being killed. At the time of his death, Kissel and his family had been in the process of moving, with Andrew staying behind alone in the house where he would meet his violent end.
The murder came shortly after another family tragedy—the 2003 killing of Andrew's younger brother Robert in Hong Kong. This second violent death concluded the story of a man who had every opportunity for legitimate success but chose deception instead, leaving behind a legacy of fraud and betrayal.
The Contradiction of Andrew Kissel
Andrew Kissel presented a complex persona that was difficult to reconcile. On one hand, he appeared to be a successful real estate executive managing properties and apartment buildings in Greenwich, Connecticut. His outward image projected prosperity and achievement to those who encountered him professionally.
Behind the façade, however, Kissel led a deeply duplicitous life. As his attorney Philip Russell noted, Kissel could be both a devoted father and a ruthless fraudster who victimized those who trusted him. This stark contradiction defined his character.
Kissel's criminal activities primarily targeted financial institutions rather than individuals. He defrauded banks of approximately $40 million using paperwork and signatures rather than violence or intimidation. His crimes were committed with pens and documents, not weapons.
The real estate developer's spending habits revealed his true character. He constantly pursued status symbols:
Luxury vehicles (owned approximately 30 cars)
An 85-90 foot yacht
Multiple jet skis
A ski house in Vermont
An upscale New York apartment
Friends observed that Kissel struggled to spend his money fast enough, constantly seeking new extravagances. His insatiable appetite for status and recognition drove his spending behavior. He craved attention and admiration from his peers.
By April 2006, Kissel's fraudulent activities had caught up with him. He was just days away from pleading guilty to bank fraud charges when his life came to a violent end. On April 3rd, movers discovered his body in the basement of his rented mansion in Greenwich.
The crime scene revealed a brutal murder. Kissel was found:
Bound at hands and feet
Blindfolded
Gagged
Stabbed multiple times
With fatal wound to the jugular vein
FBI agent Steve Garfinkle, who specialized in white-collar crime, was called to identify the body - an unusual task for someone who typically investigated financial crimes. The murder scene suggested an execution rather than a random attack.
Police quickly determined that this was a targeted killing. There was no forced entry or signs of struggle at the residence. Investigators developed a lengthy list of potential suspects due to Kissel's fraudulent activities and personal conflicts.
Carlos Trujillo, Kissel's driver and personal assistant, later revealed that Kissel had expressed concerns about his safety. "He told me many times a lot of people want to kill him," Trujillo recounted, suggesting Kissel may have anticipated violence against him.
The brutal end to Andrew Kissel's life highlighted the consequences of his contradictory existence. Despite his privileged upbringing and early legitimate success, he chose a path of deception that ultimately created "enthusiastic, motivated enemies" who may have wanted him dead.
The Murder of Andrew Kissel
Andrew Kissel, a real estate developer from Greenwich, Connecticut, met a violent end in April 2006. His death shocked the affluent community and revealed the complex life of a man who had defrauded numerous financial institutions. Kissel was days away from pleading guilty to bank fraud charges when his life was cut short in a brutal killing that exposed his complicated legacy as both a devoted father and a serial fraudster.
Finding the Crime Scene
On Monday, April 3, 2006, movers discovered Andrew Kissel's body in the basement of his rented Greenwich mansion. The 46-year-old real estate developer had remained behind while his family was in the process of relocating. FBI special investigator Steven Garfinkle, who typically handled white-collar crimes, was called to identify the body—an unusual task for someone in his position. The crime scene revealed a particularly violent death in one of America's wealthiest communities.
Detective Pascal Arino of Greenwich Police found Kissel bound and gagged in the property's boiler room. His hands and feet were tied, he was blindfolded, and his body showed evidence of multiple stab wounds. The fatal blow appeared to have struck his jugular vein, causing significant blood loss on the concrete floor. Investigators noted there was no sign of forced entry or struggle, suggesting Kissel likely knew his attacker.
Examining the Victim and Potential Motives
Police quickly determined this was not a random act of violence. Kissel had accumulated numerous enemies through his financial dealings. His longtime driver and personal assistant, Carlos Truo, later revealed that Kissel had expressed concerns about his safety, often saying people wanted to kill him. This premonition proved tragically accurate.
Kissel's professional life had started promisingly. He grew up in New Jersey as the eldest of three children in an upwardly mobile family. His father, Bill Kissel, set high expectations for his sons. Unlike his outgoing younger brother Robert, Andrew was described as having a "monotone personality" and worked harder for his achievements. Even in childhood games, Andrew gravitated toward real estate roles while Robert preferred being the banker—foreshadowing their adult careers.
By 1990, Kissel had established himself as an up-and-coming real estate developer in New York City. He married Hayley Wolf, a former world champion skier from a prominent family. Their life together included:
Two children
A ski house in Vermont
An apartment in a prestigious New York co-op
As treasurer of his co-op board, Kissel cultivated an image of importance. His investments expanded beyond real estate to include:
Horse ownership
An olive oil business
Theater production backing
The Implications of Kissel's Death
The violent murder brought to light Kissel's fraudulent financial activities. FBI agent Garfinkle described him bluntly: "Andrew was a liar. He was a thief." Kissel's attorney, Philip Russell, offered a nuanced perspective, calling him "a very good father" and friend but "the worst thing that ever happened to his investors."
Kissel's spending habits grew increasingly extravagant. He owned approximately 30 cars and an 85-90 foot yacht equipped with jet skis. Friends noted he seemed unable to spend money fast enough, constantly seeking new purchases and experiences. His behavior appeared to worsen following a tragic event involving his brother Robert, who was murdered in Hong Kong in 2003.
The investigation into Kissel's murder revealed a man living on borrowed time. He had defrauded banks of approximately $40 million and was just days away from pleading guilty in court when he was killed. Russell expressed surprise at the violent end to a white-collar criminal case, noting: "This is a man who had hurt a lot of people, but it was money, and for a bank fraud case to have this type of violence is just unusual."
Greenwich, Connecticut: A High Society Backdrop
Greenwich, Connecticut stands as one of America's most prestigious addresses, known for its wealthy residents and luxurious lifestyle. The town represents exclusivity and affluence, making it an attractive location for those looking to display their financial success and social standing.
Andrew Kessle attempted to carve out his place among Greenwich's elite through real estate ventures. He deliberately cultivated an image that aligned with the town's high-society expectations, driving luxury vehicles and maintaining a lavish lifestyle that included a rented mansion.
The contrast between Greenwich's polished reputation and the shocking nature of Kessle's 2006 murder created a significant stir in the community. Found bound, gagged, and stabbed in his basement, his violent death seemed incongruent with the area's refined atmosphere.
Greenwich's exclusivity made it an ideal backdrop for financial operations targeting wealthy individuals. The community's concentration of affluence attracts not only legitimate business professionals but also those seeking to exploit connections with high-net-worth individuals.
For someone like Kessle—who had invested in various ventures including real estate, horses, and even theater productions—Greenwich provided both business opportunities and social validation. His desire to "play the part" of a successful Greenwich resident manifested in extravagant purchases and displays of wealth.
Kessle's murder investigation revealed the complex dynamics beneath Greenwich's pristine surface. Law enforcement officials, including FBI specialists more accustomed to financial crimes, found themselves investigating a brutal homicide in one of America's wealthiest communities.
Psychology of a Financial Predator: Understanding Andrew Kissel
Andrew Kissel operated with a complex psychological profile that drove his fraudulent activities. He displayed classic traits of a white-collar criminal: outwardly successful and respected while secretly engaging in massive financial deception. Though he wasn't committing armed robbery, his pen and paper became equally effective weapons for his $40 million fraud scheme.
Behind Kissel's public persona lay contradictory characteristics. He maintained genuine relationships as a devoted father and loyal friend to some, while simultaneously becoming "the worst thing that ever happened" to his investors. This compartmentalization allowed him to function in society while continuing his criminal activities.
Greed and status-seeking formed the cornerwork of Kissel's motivations. From childhood, he displayed a fascination with real estate during family Monopoly games, foreshadowing his later career choice. His need for status manifested early, with friends noting he "always wanted to impress" and "liked to show status" even as a young man.
The psychological spiral that led to his downfall accelerated with each success. As his wealth grew, so did his extravagant spending:
An 85-90 foot yacht with multiple jet skis
Approximately 30 cars
Multiple luxury properties
Investments in various businesses including horses and olive oil
His spending patterns revealed a man who "couldn't spend money fast enough," suggesting an emptiness he tried to fill through material acquisition. This compulsive behavior intensified following his brother Robert's murder in Hong Kong in 2003, an event some friends believed triggered Andrew's increasingly erratic conduct.
Unlike impulsive criminals, Kissel maintained a calculated facade. He leveraged his position as president of a real estate management group to project legitimacy. This deliberate image cultivation represents a common trait among financial fraudsters who rely on perceived respectability to continue their schemes.
The psyche of such swindlers typically includes a profound belief they'll never face consequences. Kissel operated with this same delusion, continuing his fraudulent activities despite mounting risks. This sense of invulnerability ultimately contributed to his downfall, as his long list of victims grew increasingly desperate to recover their losses.
By the time of his murder in 2006, Kissel had amassed "enthusiastic, motivated enemies." His driver Carlos reported that Kissel himself acknowledged "a lot of people want to kill me," revealing a rare moment of self-awareness about the damage he had caused.
Kissel's psychological makeup presents a textbook study in financial predator behavior: charming, calculating, status-driven, and ultimately self-destructive. His life trajectory demonstrates how initial success, combined with character flaws, can transform ambition into criminality with devastating consequences.
The Tragic Parallel: Robert Kissel's Murder
While Andrew Kissel's story ended violently in Greenwich, Connecticut, his family had already experienced a shocking tragedy on the other side of the world. In 2003, Andrew's younger brother Robert Kissel became the victim of a brutal murder in Hong Kong, creating what some described as "lightning striking twice in the same place."
Unlike Andrew, Robert had followed a more traditional financial path. He had become one of Merrill Lynch's top investment bankers in Southeast Asia, earning millions and gaining respect throughout the region. Frank Shay, a friend of Robert's, described him as "one of the best out there" who genuinely loved his work.
Robert lived with his wife Nancy and their three children in a luxurious apartment overlooking Hong Kong. To neighbors like Trudy Samra, who became close with Nancy, the Kissels appeared to have the perfect life. The façade of happiness, however, would soon crumble in the most tragic way.
In early November 2003, Robert suddenly disappeared. His concerned colleagues reported him missing, prompting police to investigate the family's apartment. When authorities searched the Kissel's storage unit, they made a grisly discovery: boxes of bloody items and a rolled-up carpet containing Robert's body.
The investigation revealed that Robert had been bludgeoned to death, his head struck five times with a blunt object. Police quickly focused their attention on Nancy Kissel, arresting and charging her with murder within hours of discovering the body. The accusation shocked those who knew her, with Trudy Samra stating, "I just couldn't believe that, not the Nancy I knew. She wouldn't do that."
The Kissel brothers, despite their different personalities and career paths, shared a similar fate. While Andrew was described as having a "monotone personality," Robert was remembered as "gregarious, loving, and outspoken." Danny Williams, a childhood neighbor, recalled how even in childhood games of Monopoly, the brothers chose roles that mirrored their future careers—Robert always insisted on being the banker, while Andrew gravitated toward real estate.
Some friends believed that Robert's murder had a profound impact on Andrew's increasingly erratic behavior in the years that followed. The tragedy overseas seemed to accelerate Andrew's spiral of excessive spending and risky financial activities, ultimately contributing to his own downfall.
The Kissel Family's Complex Legacy
The Kissel family story represents a striking blend of success, ambition, and ultimate tragedy. Andrew Kissel, once a prominent Greenwich real estate developer, became more widely known for his dramatic 2006 murder than for his business ventures. His life trajectory demonstrates how quickly fortune can transform into misfortune.
The Kissels grew up in New Jersey in an upwardly mobile family environment. Their father Bill established clear expectations for his sons, creating a structured household that emphasized achievement and discipline. Andrew, the oldest of three children, and his brother Robert displayed markedly different personalities from an early age.
Childhood friends recall that even in games, the brothers gravitated toward roles they would later embody in adulthood. During Monopoly games, Robert always insisted on being the banker, while Andrew naturally took on real estate management. These early preferences foreshadowed their future career paths with remarkable accuracy.
Andrew's personality was described as more monotone and reserved compared to his outgoing brother Robert. Friends noted that Andrew seemed to work harder to achieve success, while accomplishments appeared to come more naturally to Robert. This contrast in their temperaments would continue throughout their lives.
By 1990, Andrew had established himself as a rising real estate developer in New York City. His marriage to Hayley Wolf, a former world champion skier from a prominent family, further cemented his social position. Their life included an apartment in New York, a vacation home in Vermont, and two children.
Andrew's financial ventures expanded well beyond real estate. He invested in diverse businesses including:
Horse ownership
An olive oil business
Theatrical productions
Luxury items including a yacht and extensive car collection
His extravagant spending habits became increasingly problematic over time. Friends observed that Andrew "couldn't spend money fast enough," acquiring possessions at an alarming rate. His yacht measured 85-90 feet and featured jet skis, while his car collection reportedly reached around 30 vehicles.
Behind the façade of success, Andrew's financial dealings grew increasingly questionable. He defrauded banks and investors, eventually accumulating approximately $40 million through fraudulent schemes. His attorney Philip Russell described him as "one complicated guy" - a devoted father and friend who simultaneously betrayed those who trusted him financially.
The Kissel family suffered a devastating blow in 2003 when Robert, who had become a highly successful investment banker with Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong, was murdered. This shocking event allegedly affected Andrew deeply. Robert's death represented the first of two tragic murders that would ultimately define the family's public legacy.
Andrew's own life ended violently in April 2006, just days before he was expected to plead guilty to bank fraud charges. Movers discovered his body in the basement of his rented Greenwich mansion. He had been bound, gagged, blindfolded, and stabbed multiple times in what investigators described as a brutal killing.
Authorities quickly determined that Andrew's murder was not random. His personal assistant Carlos reported that Andrew had mentioned feeling threatened, once stating that "a lot of people want to kill him." With numerous financial victims and what his attorney called "enthusiastic motivated enemies," the list of potential suspects was substantial.
The Kissel brothers' parallel paths of financial success followed by violent deaths represented an extraordinary coincidence. What began as a story of familial achievement transformed into a cautionary tale about ambition, excess, and the devastating consequences of financial impropriety.
Andrew Kissel's Real Estate Empire and Downfall
Andrew Kissel built his reputation as a prominent figure in the real estate sector during the 1990s, establishing himself as an up-and-coming developer in New York City. His success in property ventures fueled his ambitious lifestyle and growing portfolio of investments.
By 1990, Kissel had already achieved considerable financial success and married Hayley Wolf, a financial analyst from a prominent family and former world champion skier. Together they created what appeared to be an ideal life, complete with two children, a ski house in Vermont, and a luxurious New York co-op apartment where Kissel served as treasurer.
Kissel's real estate portfolio expanded significantly as his career progressed. He presented himself as the president of a real estate management group and owner of multiple apartment buildings. To the outside world, he appeared extremely successful and lived accordingly in Greenwich, Connecticut—one of the wealthiest communities in America.
His lavish lifestyle included approximately 30 cars, an 85-90 foot yacht with jet skis, and generous entertainment for friends. This extravagant spending seemed to know no bounds, as though he couldn't dispose of his money quickly enough.
Despite his apparent success, Kissel's business practices became increasingly fraudulent. He wasn't stealing directly from individuals so much as defrauding banks using documents and signatures. His financial schemes eventually reached approximately $40 million in fraud.
By 2006, Kissel's fraudulent activities had caught up with him. He was days away from pleading guilty to bank fraud charges when he was found murdered in the basement of his rented Greenwich mansion on April 3, 2006, at age 46. His violent death brought an abrupt end to what had once been a promising career in real estate.
The real estate magnate's downfall served as a stark reminder that behind the impressive façade of wealth and success lay a complex web of financial deception that ultimately led to his undoing.
The Downward Spiral and Excess of Andrew Kissel
Andrew Kissel presented himself as a successful real estate magnate in Greenwich, Connecticut, one of America's wealthiest communities. Behind the façade of prosperity, however, was a man deeply entangled in fraudulent activities. He defrauded banks of approximately $40 million through various schemes, using paperwork rather than violence to steal.
Kissel's personality was complex and contradictory. He maintained positive relationships with his children and some friends while simultaneously betraying investors and financial institutions. His attorney, Philip Russell, noted Kissel's inability to control his impulse to steal money, which fueled his lavish lifestyle.
Kissel's desire for status manifested in increasingly extravagant purchases:
A 85-90 foot yacht with jet skis
Approximately 30 cars
A ski house in Vermont
A New York co-op apartment
Investments in horses and an olive oil business
Financial backing for theatrical productions
His spending habits suggested someone who couldn't dispense money quickly enough. Kissel craved attention and respect, serving as treasurer of his New York co-op building where residents reportedly "kissed up" to him.
In his personal life, Kissel had married Haley Wolf, a world champion skier from a prominent family. Together they had two children and appeared to embody success. Yet this outward perfection masked Kissel's growing financial deceptions and increasingly reckless behavior.
Many observers believe a tragic event in 2003 triggered Kissel's downward spiral. That year, his younger brother Robert, a highly successful investment banker for Merrill Lynch in Hong Kong, was murdered. Robert's wife Nancy was arrested and charged with the crime after police discovered his body in a rolled-up carpet in their storage unit.
This family tragedy seemed to accelerate Andrew's self-destructive tendencies. By 2006, his fraudulent activities had caught up with him, and he was just days away from pleading guilty to bank fraud charges in court.
The story took a shocking turn on April 3, 2006, when 46-year-old Andrew Kissel was found murdered in the basement of his rented Greenwich mansion. The brutal crime scene revealed Kissel bound, gagged, and stabbed multiple times. With no signs of forced entry, investigators determined this was not a random attack but likely committed by someone Kissel knew.
The Mysterious Fate of the Kissel Brothers
The Kissel brothers, Andrew and Robert, led lives characterized by wealth, ambition, and ultimately, violent ends. Both met brutal deaths under shocking circumstances, their stories intertwined with financial deception and betrayal.
Andrew Kissel, a real estate developer in Greenwich, Connecticut, projected an image of success. He lived in one of America's wealthiest communities, drove luxury vehicles, and owned an impressive yacht. Behind this facade of prosperity, however, lay a different reality.
By 2006, Andrew was facing serious legal troubles. He stood accused of bank fraud amounting to $40 million and was days away from pleading guilty when tragedy struck. On April 3, 2006, movers discovered his body in the basement of his rented mansion.
The crime scene revealed a brutal murder. Andrew was found bound, gagged, and blindfolded with multiple stab wounds. The final blow had severed his jugular vein, causing him to bleed out on the concrete floor. There were no signs of forced entry or struggle, suggesting Andrew knew his killer.
FBI agent Steve Garfinkle, who had investigated Andrew's financial crimes, was called to identify the body—an unusual task for someone who typically handled white-collar cases. Police quickly determined this was not random violence but a targeted killing.
Andrew had accumulated numerous enemies through his fraudulent activities. His driver Carlos recalled Andrew saying, "A lot of people want to kill me," suggesting he may have anticipated his violent end.
The older of the two brothers, Andrew grew up in New Jersey in what appeared to be a stable family. His father Bill set high expectations for his sons. While Andrew was described as having a "monotone personality," his younger brother Robert was outgoing and gregarious.
Even in childhood games, the brothers showed inclinations toward their future careers—Robert always insisting on being the banker in Monopoly, while Andrew gravitated toward real estate.
By 1990, Andrew had established himself in New York's real estate market. He married Haley Wolf, a former world champion skier from a prominent family, and together they had two children. Their lifestyle included multiple properties, dozens of cars, and lavish spending.
Robert, meanwhile, built a successful career as an investment banker in Hong Kong. By 2003, he had become one of Merrill Lynch's top performers in Southeast Asia, living with his wife Nancy and their three children in a luxury apartment.
In November 2003, Robert suddenly disappeared. When police searched the family's storage unit, they made a horrific discovery—Robert's body wrapped in a carpet. He had been bludgeoned to death with five blows to the head. Nancy Kissel was quickly arrested and charged with his murder.
Some friends believe Andrew's behavior deteriorated after his brother's murder, describing it as "lightning striking twice in the same place." The competitive brothers who once played Monopoly together eventually met similarly tragic ends, their success stories ultimately overshadowed by betrayal and violence.
