Twisted Bloodline: NYC TV Set Designer Stabbed to D.e.a.t.h by Husband with Shocking Family M.u.r.d..e.r History – Baby Found Beside Her Body
In the quiet streets of Astoria, Queens, a promising young television professional’s life was cut short in a horrifying act of domestic violence that has sent shockwaves through New York City. Mary Kate Golding, 34, a talented assistant set decorator known for her work on popular series such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Goosebumps, was found stabbed to death in the family’s basement apartment early Tuesday morning. Authorities believe her husband, Joseph Azzaretto, 33, carried out the attack before taking his own life hours later.
Police responded to the home on 41st Street around 12:30 a.m. after reports of an assault. They discovered Golding with a fatal stab wound to the back, a knife still lodged in her body. Disturbingly, the couple’s 11-month-old baby was found beside her. Surveillance footage later captured Azzaretto calmly walking to a minivan and driving away from the scene. Roughly six hours later, his body was discovered hanging from a tree in nearby Astoria Park.
The tragedy has taken on even darker undertones with the revelation of Azzaretto’s troubled family background. Six years earlier, in February 2020, his younger brother Nicholas Azzaretto, then 20, fatally shot their father, Frank Azzaretto, during a heated domestic argument in the family home in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. According to court records, the incident erupted when Frank became enraged over a phone bill, pacing aggressively, throwing objects, and threatening violence against his wife. Nicholas intervened with a shotgun, leading to the patriarch’s death. Nicholas eventually pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and received probation with electronic monitoring.
Neighbors in Astoria described the couple as relatively new arrivals, having moved from Pennsylvania just two months prior. While Golding was building a career in the competitive world of television production after studying at NYU, sources indicated Joseph also had connections to the film industry. One local worker described him as mentally unstable, recounting an incident where he physically confronted repo men over a vehicle. “He was mentally disturbed. We knew that since he got here,” the worker said.
This case highlights the complex and often hidden patterns of domestic violence that can span generations. Domestic incidents frequently involve underlying issues of mental health, unresolved trauma, and cycles of abuse. In New York City, such tragedies underscore the critical need for accessible support systems, early intervention, and community awareness to protect vulnerable families, especially those with young children.
Golding’s colleagues and friends remember her as a creative force who brought sets to life on major productions. Her sudden death leaves behind a grieving family and an infant now in the care of maternal relatives. As the investigation continues, authorities are piecing together the final hours leading to the incident.
Incidents like this serve as a somber reminder that violence behind closed doors can escalate rapidly, affecting not only the immediate victims but entire communities. Support resources for those experiencing domestic issues remain essential in preventing future tragedies.
