A romantic kayak trip turned deadly | Forensic Files

[Music] Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at
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confidential support, and for a more detailed list of content warnings, please see the show notes for this
episode on your app or on our website. At approximately 7:40 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2015, 911 dispatchers
in New York State received a phone call from a distressed sounding woman. Strong winds and rolling waves
could be heard in the background as the woman immediately explained, "I'm in the Hudson River by
the Cornwall Yach Club. My fiance fell in the water. Can you please call anybody?"
The caller identified herself as Angelica. She said that she and her fianceé Vincent had been kayaking back
from Banaman's Island, also known as Polipel Island, about 50 mi north of New York City, when Vincent's kayak
capsized. He'd become separated from it, and the current was pulling him south while the waves pushed Angelica in her
kayak north. "I can't get to him," Angelica said. It's very windy and the waves are coming
in. I can't paddle to him. He's getting further and further away from me. He's going to drown. Please call
somebody. The dispatcher urged Angelica to stay calm, reassuring her that help was on the way. Angelica said she could
still see Vincent's head above the water, but warned that it was getting very bad as the distance between them
grew. She revealed that Vincent wasn't wearing a life jacket, but was clinging to a
small buoyant cushion from his kayak. "Hold on, baby!" she shouted to him. As time wore on, Angelica's panic
escalated. She suddenly screamed, "Oh my god, I can't see him anymore." Angelica said she could see a
rescue boat approaching, but found little comfort in its arrival. I'm not worried about myself, she told
the dispatcher. I'm worried about Vince. I think he drowned. I need him to be rescued. Then, without warning, the
harrowing 15-minute call abruptly cut off. [Music] [Music] [Music] A civilian rescue boat from the Cornwall
Yacht Club raced toward the unfolding emergency on the Hudson River. By this point, the sun had almost set
and the wind was picking up as a storm approached. Chilled by recent mountain snow melt, the Hudson was a brisk 46° F
or just under 8° C. Its surface was choppy with swells reaching 3 to 4 ft high. As the rescuers navigated the
treacherous conditions, they wondered why anyone in their right mind would have chosen to go kayaking that
evening. They soon spotted 35-year-old Angelica Grwald struggling in the rough, frigid waters. She was bolstered by a
life jacket while her red kayak drifted nearby, overturned in the waves. The rescuers pulled Angelica to safety,
but couldn't see anyone else in the river. Once ashore, the cold and distressed Angelica was rushed to the
hospital, where she was treated for hypothermia, a life-threatening condition caused by exposure to cold
temperatures, resulting in the body losing heat faster than it can produce it. Though visibly shaken and in shock,
Angelica was able to tell the police about the events that had taken place that day. Kayaking on the Hudson was a
springtime tradition for herself and her 46-year-old fiance, Vincent Vapor. It was their mutual love for
outdoor adventure that had partly drawn the pair together in the first place. Vincent, known to his friends as Vince
or Vinnie, grew up by the Hudson River and had a deep love for all things water related, be it fishing, swimming, or
water sports. Vincent had taken up kayaking with his first wife, a hobby they'd enjoyed together until their amicable
split. His passion for the sport remained, and he continued to hone his skills over the years, with the Hudson
River becoming one of his favorite places to paddle. Angelica had grown up in Latvia where
her childhood was defined by camping, volleyball, swimming, and fishing. Like Vincent, she was a
seasoned kayaker, and the two hit the water so frequently that they kept their kayaks in their living room.
Angelica told the police that she and Vincent were nursing hangovers that Sunday, but the unseasonably warm
weather convinced them to squeeze in their first kayaking trip of the season. While they knew a storm was
forecast for later that night, they fully intended to finish their outing before
then. Their plan was to kayak to Banaman's Island, which was named after the ruins of an abandoned military
surplus warehouse built there in 1901. [Music] The uninhabited island, which was
roughly 1,000 ft from the river's eastern shore, was only accessible by boat and off limits to visitors outside
scheduled tours due to the fragile and hazardous condition of the ruins. However, Angelica was intimately
familiar with the area. For the past 3 years, she had volunteered as a gardener with the
island's preservation society. She tended to the island every Wednesday and had formed close friendships with
its caretakers. She adored its natural beauty and rich ornate history. Its crown jewel, the remnants
of the Scottish inspired Banaman's castle, reminded her of the architecture in Latvia. Despite the restrictions on
visiting the island, Angelica and Vincent ventured out there anyway. Angelica said she showered as Vincent
packed their car with their kayaks, two 8 foot6 Clearwater Affinities. Both were Fusion 124 models,
hers red, his blue. Angelica's kayak was stored inside the vehicle, while Vincent's was
strapped to the roof. They set off from their apartment in the riverside city of Pikipsy and drove 30
minutes south to their destination, stopping at a fast food restaurant for a quick bite along the
[Music] way. It was a little after 400 p.m. when the couple launched their kayaks from
Plum Point Park, located on the eastern shore of the Hudson River. The water was calm, although colder than
they anticipated. Angelica took her purse with her cell phone, while Vincent brought a waterproof bag containing a
camera and a couple of beers. According to Angelica, neither of them typically wore a life jacket, but
this time Vincent convinced her to wear hers. He didn't own one, so he went without. The journey to Benaman's Island
was expected to take 30 to 45 minutes at a moderate pace. As they paddled, the couple
admired the scenic beauty of the Hudson Valley with Breakneck Ridge to the east and Storm King Mountain to the
west. Banaman's Castle with its lush garden surroundings provided the perfect backdrop for a photo shoot the couple
had planned that day. Angelica was an avid nature photographer and Vincent shared her love for
capturing special moments. They were considering using the island for their upcoming wedding
photos. The trip to the island was smooth and uneventful. Once there, they pulled
their kayaks ashore and climbed the stairs to explore the castle ruins. They had originally planned a sexy photo
shoot featuring Angelica in lingerie, fishnet stockings, and heels, but the unexpectedly cold temperature caused
them to rethink the idea. Instead, they wandered around, enjoyed their beers, and took candid
photos of one another. Their initial plan was to paddle around to the other side of the island, but as
the sun began to set, they decided to head back to the mainland instead. By the time they were halfway
across the river, the tide had shifted and the forecasted storm was rolling in. The growing wind and waves made the
return trip far more strenuous. Vincent remained upbeat as he paddled ahead of Angelica, navigating the
rolling waves with his usual playful spirit. "Baby, this is an adventure of a lifetime," he called out. "But
Angelica's concerns were mounting. The waves were splashing into the cockpit of Vincent's kayak, causing
it to flood and ride lower in the water. His kayak became increasingly unstable and he struggled in the rough
conditions. Suddenly, Vincent's kayak flipped, throwing him into the cold, dark water. Angelica watched in horror as he
clung to his kayak and its buoyant seat cushion. "Just hold on," Angelica yelled
as she grabbed Vincent's wewood paddle from the river and secured it to her own kayak.
She tried to paddle toward him, but the gusty wind and choppy waves kept pushing
them further apart. Though Vincent was athletic and a strong swimmer, the powerful current and
icy water made it difficult for him to stay afloat. I don't think I am going to make
it, he shouted. Unwilling to imagine the alternative, Angelica replied with optimism. What are you talking about?
You're going to make it, of course. Vincent watched on as Angelica fought a losing battle to reach
him. Soon, he lost contact with his sinking kayak and was left clinging only to the small seat
cushion. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he yelled at Angelica to call 911. While Angelica was speaking to the
operator, she too was thrown into the water, losing her cell phone into its icy depth as she
went. Her life jacket kept her afloat, but she had lost sight of Vincent [Music]
entirely. The police sympathized with Angelica as the search for her fianceé intensified. While she expressed hope
that Vincent might still be alive, the authorities weren't as certain. In addition to not wearing a
life jacket, Vincent hadn't been dressed in appropriate outerear, such as a dry or wet suit, to help him endure the cold
river. The temperature of the water that evening was low enough to trigger a cold
shock response, a sudden and involuntary reaction that would have caused Vincent
to lose control of his breathing. Exacerbated by panic, he would have begun hyperventilating, taking rapid,
shallow breaths and exhaling more air than he inhaled. This would have left him feeling dizzy, lightaded, and short of
breath while making him weak and confused. Within minutes of being in the water, Vincent's body temperature would
have dropped below 95° F or 35° C, putting him at risk of hypothermia. As his core temperature
plummeted, Vincent's heart, nervous system, and other organs would have functioned less
efficiently. Even if Vincent had been trained in self-rescue techniques or if Angelica had been able to assist him,
the situation would have been incredibly difficult to manage. Once Vincent was separated from
his kayak, reuniting with it would have been almost impossible. As the owner of a Hudson
River kayaking company explained, "Whatever is in the water is going to go with the current, and
whatever is on the water will go with the [Music] wind." In other words, the current would
have dragged Vincent in one direction while the wind pushed his kayak in another.
As hypothermia set in, numbing Vincent's extremities and slowing his movements, he would have become sluggish, drowsy,
and lethargic. Save for a miracle, it was highly likely that Vincent Vapor had drowned. By daybreak on Monday, April
20, approximately 12 hours had passed since the accident, and there was still no sign of Vincent in the Hudson
River. In what would become the worst phone call of her life, Vincent's mother, Maryanne, received the
devastating news of her son's disappearance. Vincent's absence was immediately felt by his loved ones.
As the life of the party, Vincent was the center of attention with his fun-loving, big-hearted
personality. He was quick to help others and always made people smile, with one friend
remarking, "You couldn't find anyone who would say a bad word about Vincent." Vincent's friendly, carefree disposition
had earned him a large group of lifelong friends whom he saw most weekends at one
of the many bars along Peripsy's main street. There he entertained onlookers with his dancing, karaoke, and billiard
skills. It was at one of these bars in September 2013 that he had first met Angelica Grasswald.
Angelica had arrived in the United States 13 years prior at the age of 20 seeking travel and new
experiences. She initially took up work as a nanny, but caring for three young children proved overwhelming and she
quit after 6 months. What was only supposed to be a one-year visit turned into an indefinite
stay as Angelica grew enamored with America and became a permanent resident. Over the next decade, she worked various
jobs, studied, and dated until she met Vincent Vapor. According to those who witnessed
their romance, it was love at first [Music] sight. The couple seems like a perfect
match. In addition to their shared love of the outdoors, Vincent and Angelica were both outgoing and enjoyed a vibrant
social life. They had both been married twice before and neither had children. After dating for 3 weeks,
Angelica moved into Vincent's Pikipsy rental apartment. She quit her job as a bartender to focus on her photography
and to volunteer on Banaman's Island. 5 months later, Vincent proposed to her with an onion ring from a habachi
grill. Despite the whirlwind pace of their relationship, Vincent's friends could see that he was seriously
committed to Angelica. For the first time in his life, he spoke about wanting children. He was also learning
Angelica's native language and even traveled to Latvia to meet her family. Upon greeting Angelica's mother, Vincent
said, "Hi, Mom." before embracing her warmly. Angelica's family adored Vincent immediately, telling her, "He's one of
ours." During this time, Vincent posted a photo online of him and Angelica kissing on a
balcony at sunset with the caption, "The wedding's going to be in Europe on the Baltic Sea, but we plan to
do a Hudson River cruise party with whatever friends want to party with us." The couple were rarely apart. On
Saturday, April 18, 2015, the evening before their fateful kayaking trip, Vincent and Angelica went out drinking
with friends. As the night wore on, Vincent wanted to keep partying, but Angelica,
who had grown quiet and withdrawn, suggested they call it a night and head home. Vincent eventually
agreed. Before they left, he looked out over the Hudson River and casually remarked to one of his friends that he
wanted to go kayaking. "What are you crazy?" his friend replied, knowing the river was
choppy and cold. His friend cautioned. "You can't go in the water. Don't even think about
it." But Vincent, ever the free spirit and adventurer, couldn't be talked out of anything.
[Music] When news of Vincent Vapor's disappearance spread, his family and friends rushed to the shoreline near
Benamman's Island to join the search efforts. Adverse weather hampered their progress, and the search had to be
periodically suspended, awaiting better conditions. Meanwhile, members of the local
community were stunned to learn that experienced kayakers had ventured out on the Hudson River at such a
time. One local kayaker told reporters that it was far too early in the season and too cold for such an excursion,
while a spokesperson for the Benaman Castle Trust made it clear that Angelica and Vincent should never have been on
the island alone. Others criticized Vincent for failing to take proper safety precautions. One kayaking expert told
the New York Times, "Any experienced paddler wears a personal flotation device all the time,
every time, period, "You would never see a professional paddler without it. Whether you're on a pond or in the
Mediterranean, it's a big deal." Some believed the tragedy could have been avoided if Vincent had dawned a
spray skirt, a flexible waterproof cover that seals around the kayaker's waist and over the cockpit, preventing water
from entering the vessel. When the couple's kayaks were recovered from the waters near Plumpoint
Park, the models they were using were determined to be ills suited for the choppy conditions and long distances of
the Hudson River. Theirs were only 8'6, while longer touring kayaks ranging from 13 to 15 ft
were typically used in the area as they offered a better buoyancy and stability. Vincent and Angelica's white
water kayaks provided little to no additional flotation, making them better suited for calmer lakes or
ponds. Over the coming days, authorities scoured the rocky sandy shorelines and great depths of the river for Vincent
Vapor. They urged fishermen and other water users to keep an eye out for his body, which could have been carried by
the current anywhere along a 150 m stretch. The police utilized their scuba, canine, and aviation units, but
no trace of Vincent was found. His loved ones, accepting that he was likely deceased, could do little but
hope that his body would be recovered so they could give him a proper farewell. Angelica posted pictures of
herself and Vincent to social media along with inspirational poetry expressing her hope that he would be
found alive. Please keep your prayers for Vince. Miracles are possible, she wrote.
Days after the incident, Angelica appeared in a televised interview, sobbing into her hands and struggling to
find the words as she described the moment Vincent vanished beneath the waves. "I just kept thinking, "Where?
Where? Where is he?" she said solemnly. [Music] But while Angelica appeared to be
devastated, her behavior elsewhere was drawing attention for all the wrong reasons. When friends called to check in
on Angelica, they noted that she seemed unusually calm. She didn't shed any tears in front of Vincent's distraught
family either. When asked about the accident, Angelica coolly replied, "You know, it's a tragic thing. What can I
say about it? Some of Angelica's friends thought that she seemed at peace, as though a
heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. A memorial night was held for Vincent at a local bar during which
Angelica performed a karaoke version of Hotel California by American rock band The Eagles.
Some viewed her performance as a little too happy for someone who had just lost their
fianceé. Angelica's heartfelt social media posts about Vincent soon gave way to pictures and videos of herself doing
alcoholic shots, smoking cigars, performing cartwheels, smiling in selfies, and even doing yoga by the
Hudson River. In a move considered by many as distasteful, she uploaded an old picture
of herself kayaking in stormy weather without a life jacket on with the seemingly sarcastic caption referencing
Vincent's ordeal. If only I could have paddled harder, "Damn it." Some interpreted Angelica's behavior as
an attempt to put on a brave face as she continued to tell friends, "There's still a chance they'll
find Vincent, there's still a chance." Others felt Angelica was being marketkedly insensitive, and they were
perplexed by what they viewed as her lack of genuine emotion in response to the tragedy.
At one point, Angelica even suggested that investigators suspend the search for Vincent to join her for drinks at a
party she was hosting to celebrate Vincent's life. She also missed an appointment
with police to discuss the case because she said she was having a good time at an animal sanctuary.
They rescheduled for the following day, but Angelica failed to show up for that appointment too, repeating the same
excuse. The police had to reiterate the importance of the appointment and stressed that it should be a priority
before Angelica apologized and arrived to speak with them later that day. The police knew that people coped with
the trauma and grief differently, sometimes in ways that didn't entirely make sense. They treated Angelica kindly,
apologizing profusely for making her relive her painful experience in order to assist their
investigation. Angelica told them she understood why they wanted to question her, saying that the incident had
occurred under quote suspicious circumstances. The police asked what she meant by
that. She didn't provide a clear answer and instead steered the conversation in a different
direction. Throughout the police interview, Angelica smoked cigarettes, breathed heavily, and repeatedly
mentioned that she didn't feel well. At the end, she offered the interviewing detective a $10 Google Play
gift card as a thank you for his help. When he explained that he couldn't accept it, she attempted to give him a
homemade figurine, which he also declined. On her way out, she was overheard asking a companion if they
would go out with her that night for a steak and some wine. Suspicions toward Angelica heightened
when a rescuer from the Cornwall Yacht Club stated that they believed she had intentionally flipped her kayak just
moments before they arrived. Then there was the matter of the cell phone Angelica had used to call
911 on the night Vincent disappeared. She claimed to have lost it in the water when she capsized, but an eyewitness
from the rescue boat reported seeing it in her possession as they headed to shore. Some of Vincent's friends were
also dubious about Angelica's version of events. While they acknowledged that Vincent could be a bit of an adrenaline
junkie, they also knew that he always took precautions. One friend remarked that Angelica's
account, quote, just didn't jive with me. But there was no clear motive for Angelica wanting Vincent out of the
picture, at least not initially. It wasn't until the police spoke with Vincent's sister that they
uncovered a startling detail. 6 months before Vincent disappeared, Angelica had become the primary
beneficiary of two of his life insurance policies with a combined total of $550,000. Vincent told his sister that
he'd made the change in order to designate Angelica as his domestic partner so she could be added to his
health insurance plan. However, after Vincent went missing, Angelica had reportedly talked about
what she could do with the money. As police dug further, they discovered that Angelica had a tendency
to become violent with Vincent when she was drunk. She had been witnessed slapping
him hard across the face multiple times. Vincent never reacted, but just looked at her and remained calm.
Two weeks before the kayaking accident, Vincent texted a friend expressing doubts about his relationship, admitting
that he didn't think it was going to work out. The next day, he had a change of heart, saying that Angelica had become
so afraid of losing him that they had managed to sort their problems out. While Vincent's long-term position as a
project manager with the state of New York paid well, it emerged that he'd been struggling financially and had even
declared bankruptcy in 2010. His liabilities far exceeded his assets with a deficit of more than
$26,000. As a result, his Jeep Grand Cherokee Sport utility vehicle and Stingray power boat had been
repossessed. These financial issues seemed to have impacted Vincent's relationship with
Angelica. According to friends of the couple, Vincent had postponed their wedding several
times. Eventually, he gave Angelica an ultimatum, find a job by the end of the month, or he would kick her out of his
apartment. When the search for Vincent Vapor's body reached its ninth fruitless day, investigators contacted Angelica to
inform her of their plans to return to Banaman's Island for a more thorough examination of the
site. "Oh, good," she replied. "Maybe I'll see you out there." Angelica intended to lay a
wreath in the water as a tribute to Vincent. The following morning, three case detectives conducted a search of the
island as planned, but found nothing of significance. Angelica arrived at around
noon. She greeted the waiting detectives with hugs before they asked her to retrace her steps from the day Vincent
vanished. During Angelica's reenactment, the detectives highlighted the inconsistencies they had uncovered in
her story, including the conflicting accounts about her dropping her cell phone. In response, Angelica's behavior
grew increasingly erratic. She appeared to lose focus and chain smoked two cigarettes before
clutching her stomach as though in pain and repeatedly asking to use the bathroom.
Eventually, she began to cry. Angelica, something is not right. One of the detectives said, "You are not
being honest with us. It's important to tell the truth. We need to know what happened." Angelica agreed, but said
that she wasn't ready. She was asked if she would feel more comfortable speaking with the
detective alone rather than in front of the group. She agreed and detective Donald Duoto
was selected to speak with her privately. The pair had a near hour-ong conversation before Detective Duoto
regrouped with the other investigators and announced, "You're not going to believe
this." According to Dutoto, when he and Angelica were alone, she sat down and lit another cigarette.
Dartto firmly told Angelica, "Just tell me what's going on." She replied cryptically. "You know about the plug,
right?" Detective Dorto had no idea what Angelica was talking about and asked her
to tell him more. Angelica responded. Vincent didn't have the plug in his kayak. She was referring to the drain
plug, a small but crucial part located on the top side of the stern above the water
line. Drain plugs are screwed into place and removed on dry land to expel water that's caught inside the kayak by
flipping it over. When Vincent's kayak was recovered, the plug was notably missing. Without it, the kayak had an
open hole about the size of a nickel on top. While this wouldn't have been a problem during the karma paddle to
Banaman's Island, the worsening conditions on the return trip could have splashed water into the hole,
theoretically sinking the kayak. Detective Duoto asked Angelica, "Is that why Vincent's kayak
sank?" "Yes," she replied. Dortto then asked if Angelica had taken the plug out. "Yes, I think I did," she
answered. But that wasn't all. Vincent used a two-piece paddle, which was designed to be taken apart for
easier transportation and storage. The rods of the two halves were clipped together and tightened in place
with two safety rings, ensuring they stayed securely connected during use. Angelica told Detective Dorto that
she had removed one of the safety rings from Vincent's paddle, making it less stable and difficult to use effectively.
Once again, this was news to Detective Dartto. Angelica had managed to recover Vincent's paddle during their ordeal and
had clipped it to her own kayak. When her kayak was retrieved from the river, investigators hadn't been
aware of the safety rings and therefore hadn't noticed if one was missing from Vincent's paddle at the time.
Detective Duoto asked Angelica, "Did you take the plug out and remove the ring from the paddle because
you wanted Vincent dead?" She responded bluntly, "Yes, I guess I did." Dartau continued, "Was there a point you could
have helped Vincent or saved him, but you didn't?" "Yes," she answered. Angelica divulged that Vincent had been
clinging to his paddle in the water to help keep himself afloat and she had taken it away from
him. "So you didn't help him," Duardo clarified. "No," Angelica confirmed. "I wanted him gone. I wanted to be free. I
wanted to be myself." When Detective Duoto recounted Angelica's confession to his team on
Banaman's Island, they were shocked. Unprepared for this turn of events, they hadn't bought any recording devices or
pens and paper to document her statement. Regardless, their investigation promptly shifted to a
murder inquiry. Angelica willingly got on a police boat to be taken to the New York State Police
Barracks for a formal interview. It seemed she didn't fully grasp the gravity of the
situation. During the boat trip, Angelica appeared completely unbothered, enjoying the wind, smiling, and even
whistling. The detectives exchanged puzzled looks when she suddenly threw up her hands and
announced, "I'm free." Angelica's carefree attitude remained when she arrived at the police
barracks at around 3:30 p.m. Casually telling Detective Dartto, "When I first saw you, I thought
you were cute." Unsure of how to respond to the inappropriate remark, Dortto simply
said, "Thank you." He then proceeded to read Angelica her Miranda rights, which she said she
understood. Given that Detective Duoto had no proof of Angelica's earlier confession on Banaman's Island, he
initiated the formal interview, hoping she would repeat her claims while being recorded.
So, we had a good discussion up there, Dortto began. We did, Angelica agreed. I think you feel a lot
better. Yeah, I do. Thanks, Angelica confirmed, rubbing her hands together, Dortto
continued. I know you probably don't want to run through it again, but this is what we have to do. I understand,
Angelica replied. It's therapy for you, Quarter assured Angelica. You'll feel better. At ease, Angelica opened up
about her relationship with Vincent. She confessed that she felt trapped because he made frequent sexual
demands that left her feeling uncomfortable. She said Vincent wanted to have threesomes, watch pornography together,
engage in a dominant submissive dynamic, and have Angelica pose for racy photographs. If she refused to entertain
his requests, he would postpone their wedding or threaten to call it off entirely.
While this angered Angelica, she said she stayed with Vincent because she was quote, "A very spiritual person and knew
he would never really be gone." Angelica admitted that there had been tension between her and Vincent the
night before their kayaking trip. While out drinking with friends, she said they
began arguing because Vincent wanted to visit a strip club while Angelica just wanted to go home.
She also thought he was too inebriated to drive. Angelica told the police that they made up before going to bed that
night and it was Vincent who insisted on going kayaking the next morning. It was also his idea to do the
sexy photo shoot on Benaman's Island and she went along with it just to please him.
Angelica admitted that their relationship wasn't perfect, with most of their conflict stemming from
Vincent's sexual desires. Still, she said she'd been committed to working things out as she
envisioned a future together and wanted to have his children. Despite these revelations,
Angelica didn't repeat what she had allegedly told Detective Dart one Banaman's Islands.
He prodded further, asking, "What could you have done physically that caused Vincent to drown?
Let's see if you remember what you told me." Angelica replied, "No." Dart reminded her, "You said by
taking the plug out of the kayak and taking the paddle away from him. Does that sound correct?"
Yeah, Angelica agreed before adding, "But I didn't intend to have it happen that
way." She said that she had removed Vincent's drain plug well before the trip sometime during the off season in
winter so that her cat could play with it. Afterward, she put it either in a drawer in Vincent's apartment or in the
car. Angelica claimed that Vincent knew the plug wasn't in his kayak when they headed for Benaman's Island and that he
wasn't bothered by its absence. She maintained that she didn't remove the plug with any intention of
causing harm, emphasizing. I didn't want to kill Vincent or anything like that. Detective Duoto pressed Angelica
about the comment she had made on Banaman's Island about wanting Vincent gone. Isn't that what you said? He
asked. I did, Angelica agreed. Dartto asked if she had taken the plug out as a means to escape her
troubled relationship. Angelica admitted that it could be viewed that way, but she said
it wasn't her intention. Jubious of her innocent act? Duoto asked, "When you watched Vincent in the
water, was a part of you saying, "My worries are gone now and I'm free." "And were you
almost euphoric?" Angelica interrupted casually, finishing his sentence. She nodded, saying she felt
euphoric watching Vincent struggle in the river because she knew he was going to be gone.
She added that she still felt euphoric about it over a week later. However, within an hour of making
these admissions, Angelica maintained that she had done everything she could to save
Vincent. "I didn't just watch him drown," she asserted. "I tried to do something about it."
She also denied having removed the safety ring from Vincent's paddle, even though an examination of the paddle
confirmed that the safety ring was indeed missing, just like Angelica had said. "That's a little different from
what you told me earlier, though," Detective Duoto pointed out to her. "Why? Why do you keep changing what you
were saying?" Angelica apologized, saying, "I'm just tired." When asked what she wanted that
day out on the Hudson River, Angelica repeated that she wanted to be free. She kept saying she wanted Vincent gone, but
maintained that she didn't kill him. She described feeling as though she had been torn in too by an angel and a
demon as she watched him struggle in the water. What was the demon side saying? The
detective asked. It's not a good side, Angelica sighed. You don't want to see that side
of me. Nobody does. Now, that side was telling me this is really like going to happen. Just let
it. But the good side was saying save him. Save him. You can do it. You can do it. You're strong.
When asked why the demonside one, Angelica responded matterof factly. Because of the way Vincent
treated me, you know. As for whether the way she acted was a means to get back at Vincent,
Angelica said, "Kind of. Yeah." The interview stretched into the night with breaks interspersed
throughout. During these pauses, Angelica appeared to show complete indifference and a lack of concern for
her predicament. She practiced yoga, smoked cigarettes, meditated, ate pizza, and even played
hopscotch. She also drew a picture of a palm fringed island alongside the word free.
When the interview recommenced, she kept talking about going home to feed her cat. As the hours dragged on, Angelica
began making some bizarre remarks. She said that she had sensed that Vincent would die that day because
she was quote in tune with the other side. She also said she was glad that she had fallen into the water, too,
because she wanted to feel what Vincent had felt. When the questioning continued with
Detective Duoto's partner, Angelica remarked, "I don't want to admit that I killed
Vincent." The detective responded, "Okay, I understand that, but you did. The reality is you took that
plug out because you wanted to kill him. You wanted him to be dead. You wanted to
be free." Angelica replied, "I took it out before a long time ago." The detective agreed, adding,
"Because you wanted him to die." Angelica nodded, "Yes, at some point." "Yes." The detective asked point blank.
"You killed Vinnie, right?" You're the one telling me," Angelica replied flatly. "No," the detective interjected.
"I'm asking you the question." "You want me to admit it?" Angelica asked. The detective replied that he
just wanted Angelica to tell the truth. "I am telling you the truth," she asserted.
As the detective continued to pry, Angelica's frustrations grew and her answers became
heated. "All right, I'll give you your [ __ ] statement," she snapped. "I wanted him dead and now he's gone and
I'm okay with it. I am okay with that." After 11 hours of intense questioning, Angelica Grwald had admitted to removing
the drain plug from Vincent Vapor's kayak and wanting him to die. But she'd stopped short of making an outright
confession to his murder. Even though Vincent's body was still missing, investigators felt
satisfied that Angelica had intentionally caused his death. They charged her with seconddegree
murder as well as seconddegree manslaughter. If found guilty, she faced a possible 25 years to life in
prison. The charges sparked mixed reactions among those who knew Angelica and Vincent. Some believed there was no way
Angelica could have caused Vincent any harm, with one friend remarking, "Vincent always had his arm
around her. They were loveydovey. I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt. I think Vincent would want
everyone to give Angelica the benefit of the doubt. He really did love her. A fellow volunteer on Banaman's
Island described Angelica as always seeming happy and in love with Vincent, noting that she never spoke negatively
about him. Most people knew Angelica to be kind-hearted, bright, and mildmannered,
not a cold-blooded killer. The couple's neighbors had never even heard them argue. However, an ex-boyfriend of
Angelica's painted a very different picture. He claimed that Angelica had a violent streak when she didn't get her
way, describing her behavior as a way of reacting when she feels threatened. When they broke up, he said Angelica lay
behind his car to prevent him from leaving with their pet cat, even though she didn't have a place to house
it. She threatened to break into the house to retrieve the cat until he relented and handed it
over. After separating from her second husband, Angelica reportedly took many of his belongings, only returning them
after a court order forced her to do so. Although Vincent's mother, Maryanne, was
shocked to learn about the charges against Angelica, it explained her callous behavior in the aftermath of
Vincent's disappearance. Maryanne told the TV show 48 hours, "I do not believe that this was
an accident. I was devastated that Angelica would do that to my son, who was so good to her."
Many Hudson River locals thought the case was suspicious from the start with one telling the Washington
Post. It didn't add up. From day one, I thought it had to be a murder myself, "I
really did." The bizarre case became a media sensation with Angelica Grassworld dubbed the Kayak Killer.
The apparent financial motive for the killing, combined with scandalous rumors about the couple's sex life, fueled
dramatic and provocative headlines. Angelica's innocent, youthful looks and gentle nature contrasted
sharply with the unapologetically insensitive way she spoke about Vincent, turning her into a highly contentious
figure. Her behavior continued to mystify those around her with a prison officer noting that despite her
predicament, she often appeared almost cheerful. In the court of public opinion, Vincent was seen as a likable
everyman, while Angelica was painted as a manipulative and calculating foreign vixen.
Angelica denied ever making a confession to detective Donald Duoto on Banaman's Island and claimed that she was being
wrongfully accused, insisting, "I didn't kill Vincent. I loved him. I'm not a killer. I'm a good
person." She ultimately pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. The judge agreed with the prosecution
that Angelica posed a flight risk and set her bail at $3 million in cash or a $9 million
bond. Unable to pay, Angelica remained in custody awaiting her trial, which was scheduled for 2017, nearly 2 years after
Vincent disappeared. In the meantime, investigators continued to build their case against
her. A search of Angelica's car uncovered the drain plug from Vincent's kayak and the safety ring from his
paddle. Investigators conducted repeated tests to determine whether Vincent's kayak could have sunk with the drain
plug missing. Their results showed that the small hole consistently allowed water to enter the
vessel and it would only take 7 to 10 minutes for the kayak to sink. They also tested the use of a
paddle without a safety ring and confirmed that it would have been extremely difficult to paddle without
it, even in calm waters. Data from Angelica's 911 call was compared to her version of events, with
investigators believing that the call was placed approximately 15 minutes after Vincent's kayak had already
sunk. Her personal diary also revealed entries venting about Vincent's sexual demands and how they made her wish he
was dead. With all this in mind, investigators were convinced that Angelica had coaxed
Vincent into kayaking to Banaman's Island under the false pretense of a sexy photo
shoot. Everything from sabotaging his paddle and kayak to plying him with alcohol as a storm approached to knowing
he wouldn't be wearing a life jacket or any other protective gear was part of Angelica's premeditated plan to kill
Vincent while making it look like an accident. When Vincent inevitably capsized,
investigators believed that Angelica snatched his paddle away to prevent him from using it to stay
afloat. She watched as Vincent perished, then called 911, figning panic, to make
it appear as though he was still alive. It wasn't until the rescue boat neared that Angelica threw herself into the
water, reinforcing her story that the whole incident had been a tragic accident, one she had barely survived
herself. In the eyes of detectives, Angelica was a sociopath. From behind bars, Angelica
filled interviews in which she maintained her calm, soft-spoken demeanor. She continued to deny any involvement in
Vincent's death, insisting, "Of course I didn't do it. He was the love of my life." She acknowledged the
inconsistencies in her story, but attributed them to a crazy time in her life. From Angelica's perspective, her
actions didn't align with the prosecution's narrative. Before she and Vincent left
Benaman's Island, she had texted a friend who lived across the river to let them know they were about to
depart. The friend and her husband used a telescope and saw Angelica dancing on the dock as Vincent took her
photo. The friend texted Angelica to let her know that they could see her, and Angelica waved back.
If Angelica had been planning to murder Vincent straight after this, why would she have so openly set herself up with
potential witnesses? Angelica's defense attorney, Richard Potale, argued that investigators had either ignored or
distorted key facts to fit their narrative. In an interview with Crime Watch Daily,
Portale contended that detectives had already decided on Angelica's guilt before gathering any solid evidence to
support it. He claimed that the detectives had fabricated the entire story about
Angelica's so-called confession on Benaman's Island. As Portal pointed out, if Angelica had truly confessed, why didn't
the police arrest her immediately? And why didn't they confront her outright with the confession during her
lengthy recorded interview at the police barracks? Portal called the detectives a
pack of wolves who emotionally beat Angelica up in an attempt to extract a recorded confession.
He highlighted comments made by detective Donald Duoto in which he tried to reconcile discrepancies between
Angelica's version of events and the alleged island confession. Over the 11-hour interview,
Angelica still couldn't replicate her supposed confession, even after repeated prompting.
Richard Portal also argued that the integrity of Angelica's police interview was flawed due to a significant language
barrier. Given that English was not Angelica's first language, she was led to believe she was communicating
effectively when in fact she wasn't. Portal said that Angelica wanted to appear confident, so she often responded
affirmatively to questions even when she didn't fully understand them. About 7 hours into the interview,
she asked what Miranda rights were, indicating that she hadn't fully understood them when they were initially
read to her. Furthermore, Angelica entered the interview unaware that she was a suspect.
As a result, she didn't request legal counsel beforehand. Having grown up around
police with a father who was an officer in Latvia, she inherently trusted law enforcement. She later admitted to Well
magazine. That was my fault. I was naive. Very naive. At the start of the interview,
detectives told Angelica that the process was therapy and they continuously reassured her that honesty
would lead to leniency and no judgment. This encouraged her to speak openly about her conflicting feelings
toward Vincent, unaware that her words could be used against her. It was only after hours of continuously
answering the same questions that Angelica snapped in frustration and harshly stated that she was glad Vincent
was dead. Richard Portal likened it to the kind of language seen in gangster movies
where a character might admit to wanting someone dead without being directly responsible for their
death. That's not a confession, he stated. [Music] Former detective and false confession
expert Jim Traum reviewed Angelica Grisswald's police interview for the investigative television show 48
Hours. He explained that interrogators often manipulate suspects into believing it's in their best interest to give the
desired answers, saying anyone can fall victim to it. Traum noted that the interview served as
a cautionary example for police officers on how not to conduct interrogations. He explained that the
detectives had used leading questions to pressure Angelica into agreeing that Vincent didn't love her and that she had
removed the kayak plug to get back at him when she had never made such claims herself. While she accepted the
detective's theory that the missing drain plug might have caused Vincent's kayak to sink, she never admitted to
removing it for that purpose. Jim Traum also believed that the detectives had misinterpreted
Angelica's words. When she said she wanted Vincent gone, she meant out of her life. Her desire to be free referred
to the end of their troubled relationship. Even if she felt obliterated by his death, it didn't mean she'd plotted his
murder. The detectives also misunderstood the physical evidence, repeatedly stating the drain plug hole
was beneath the kayak, despite Angelica correcting them. Traum agreed with Angelica's
attorney that her most damaging comments were made when she was worn down and desperate to end the
interrogation. When Angelica's repeated requests to go home and feed her cat were denied, Trina believed that she
accepted the police's narrative just to escape. He concluded this is a non-crime. This is an accident the
police turned into a criminal offense because of their gut feeling. Another expert on false confessions
explained to L magazine that confessions tend to become false in longer interrogations, particularly those
lasting over 8 hours. He noted that people who falsely confess to crimes are not stupid, but
are often misled into believing their confession won't have serious consequences.
ABC News chief legal analyst Dan Abrams described the case as tricky because the
key piece of evidence was Angelica's own words and her own words are not entirely
clear. He pointed out that she doesn't come out and say, "I did it." One veteran homicide investigator
praised the detectives for doing what he perceived to be an excellent job of the
interrogation as it resulted in some incriminating comments from Angelica. However, he also
stated, "But is it a confession? No." Angelica was subject to a psychological evaluation shortly after her arrest with
the forensic psychologist concluding that she suffered from paranoid ideiation and hypomomanic
trends. Hypomomania is a milder form of the manic episodes experienced by people
with bipolar disorder and it can be triggered by traumatic events. The forensic psychologist found Angelica
to be impulsive and lacking in judgment, traits commonly seen in individuals who
tend to quote run off at the mouth. In the psychologist's view, her poor judgment likely played a role
during her interrogation. while he also identified her to have several psychological traits that were linked to
false confessions. The psychologist determined that Angelica was not sadistic, cruel,
or vindictive, but had learned to numb herself emotionally after having had traumatic experiences with other people.
This could also help explain her strangely upbeat conduct after Vincent's disappearance, with the psychologist
describing her behavior as being overactive, energetic, and self-dramatizing. Defense attorney
Richard Portal emphasized this behavior also came down to cultural differences. he
said. Everyone criticized Angelica for doing a cartwheel, assuming if she's happy, she must have killed Vincent. But
in Latvia, open grieving isn't an option. You don't cry in public. Angelica detailed her upbringing
in an interview with the magazine, saying, "Women are not meant to be seen crying or as weak or broken."
While she was devastated about losing Vincent, she didn't feel comfortable showing emotions
publicly. "I was in shock," she explained. "I was in denial. I much rather put on a happy
face." As for her claim of feeling euphoric after Vincent's death, Angelica told L that she had read a book on
grief, which suggested that experiencing euphoric feelings after the death of a loved one was normal.
Had this little known fact been more widely understood, she believed it might have shifted public perception of
her. One of the key elements of the prosecution's case against Angelica was the missing drain plug, which they
claimed Angelica removed to intentionally sink Vincent's kayak. But Richard Portal pointed out that
Vincent often kayaked without the plug in order to secure the kayak to his car. Surveillance footage from traffic
cameras on the afternoon that Vincent and Angelica drove to Plum Point Park showed Vincent's kayak strapped to the
roof of his car through the drain plug hole. Portal argued that the missing drain plug was a red herring and it
hadn't even contributed to Vincent's death. He explained, "When waves hit the kayak,
they crash into the cockpit, not the drain plug hole. Water wouldn't enter it significantly enough to submerge the
kayak." To test the theory, ABC's 2020 program, Mystery on the Hudson, as well as 48 hours program, Death on the
Hudson, both carried out their own recreations. In both programs, experts found that even in choppy waters, only a
small amount of water entered the kayak through the drain plug hole. Nowhere near enough to sink the
vessel. The majority of the water entered through the cockpit, just like Angelica claimed had happened to
Vincent. 48 hours also conducted a test where the cockpit was completely sealed,
leaving only the drain plug hole open. In this scenario, less than an ounce of water, not even the size of a shot
glass, entered the kayak. Tests were also done to see how effectively a person could kayak using a
paddle that was missing one of its safety rings. It turned out to be no trouble at
all. The prosecution also claimed that Angelica had taken the paddle from Vincent, so he couldn't use it to keep
himself afloat. testing conducted by 48 hours concluded that a paddle alone wasn't enough to
keep a fully grown man afloat. Anyway, in all the testing conducted by various media outlets and news programs,
none were able to replicate the results claimed by the case investigators. Angelica agreed to an
interview for the 2020 segment. When asked why she chose to speak publicly, she stated, "I just
needed a chance to let people know I'm innocent. I'm being accused of murder, which I'm not capable of
doing." She explained that her comments about wanting to be free of Vincent related to the lifestyle they were
living, not Vincent himself. In another interview with News12, Angelica said that her incriminating
diary entries about wanting Vincent dead were outdated and written in anger during a difficult
time. I didn't really mean it, she said. I was very much in love with Vincent and
would never have hurt him. Richard Portal dismissed the alleged motive of Vincent's life insurance
policy, arguing it didn't align with Angelica's character, saying she's not someone who cares about
money. She's a simple girl from a simple country, more interested in flowers, photographs, and sunsets than in
financial gain. Portal asserted that Vincent's death was an accident caused by a combination of
factors, including his own failure to respect the dangers of the water. After all, Vincent had entered
the tumultuous river after drinking a few beers without a life jacket, wets suit, spray skirt, or drain
plug. In Portal's opinion, the idea that Angelica had meticulously planned the killing was absurd.
She had no control over the weather, the river conditions, or Vincent's decisions
and actions that day. Referring to Vincent as the captain of his own ship, Portal told
2020, "I'm not here to blame Mr. Vapor for his own death, but Ms. Grwald is not his mother. He's a grown man, and that's
really his responsibility. On Saturday, May 23, 2015, 34 days after Vincent Vapor's disappearance, a
recreational boater spotted Vincent's body floating face down in the Hudson River, about a mile downstream from
Banaman's Island. He hadn't drifted far from where his kayak had capsized. The discovery brought
bittersweet relief to Vincent's loved ones. I was both sad and happy, his mother,
Maryanne, told 48 hours. Sad that there was no hope and happy that at least we found him and
could bring him home. As Vincent's body underwent an autopsy, Richard Portal expressed
confidence that the findings wouldn't harm Angelica's case. He expected the cause of Vincent's death
would be classified as accidental drowning or hypothermia with alcohol as a factor, which would lead to the
charges against Angelica being dropped. The autopsy confirmed Vincent's cause of death as drowning with a blood
alcohol concentration of 006, indicating early stage intoxication. However, the medical examiner ultimately
ruled Vincent's death a homicide, stating it was caused by a kayak drain plug intentionally removed by
another. The result left many stunned. For those who believed Vincent's death was an accident, the
autopsy failed to provide crucial evidence of foul play. Richard Portal argued that the findings
were based on statements from New York State Police and didn't reflect the tests, expert opinions, or evidence at
hand. He questioned how the medical examiner could have used the word intentionally in connection with the
missing drain plug. "Did she find that under a microscope?" he asked before adding.
In New York, a medical examiner properly relies on medical evidence. They can consider other factors, but the issue of
intent is for the jury to decide. While the autopsy's findings strengthened the prosecution's case for
murder, Angelica's legal team prepared their false confession defense. Then, just weeks before her
trial, Angelica made a stunning decision. She tearfully pleaded guilty to a lesser
felony charge of criminally negligent homicide. As part of the plea deal, she admitted to engaging in blameworthy
conduct so serious that it contributed to a substantial and unjustifiable risk of Vincent's death.
This included removing the drain plug from Vincent's kayak, knowing the safety ring was missing from his paddle and
being aware of the hazardous weather conditions. She also knew that Vincent wasn't wearing a life vest or wet suit
had been drinking and that the cold, treacherous waters of the Hudson River posed a significant danger.
Angelica conceded that with this knowledge, she should have acted differently to prevent harm and save
Vincent's life. Explaining how they reached the plea deal, the district attorney said
that proving intentional murder would have been challenging in court given the lack of eyewitnesses and limited
physical evidence. The case relied heavily on Angelica's alleged confession on Banaman's Island
and her 11-hour recorded interview, but none of her vacasillating statements constituted a direct confession for
intentional murder. Due to the significant amount of time that had passed since her arrest, the
opportunity to have Angelica evaluated by the prosecution's psychiatric experts, who could have potentially
counted claims that she had made a false confession, was no longer feasible. The plea deal ultimately
removed the uncertainty of a lengthy trial in which Angelica could escape conviction and spared Vincent's family
from further emotional distress. At Angelica's sentencing, the judge made it clear the court didn't accept her
version of events and believed she acted maliciously. You could have walked out on Vincent if you were unhappy instead
of whatever it was in your mind that led to removing the plug and taking other actions.
The judge emphasized that it was ultimately Angelica's failure to assist Vincent when he was struggling in the
water that led to his death. You certainly have a lack of understanding of other people's
feelings, he said, noting Angelica's excessive need for admiration and pointing to her exaggerated feelings of
self-worth. He characterized Vincent as an unnecessary victim of Angelica's mindset, suggesting that her failure to
help him was driven by her own self-centered motivations. Angelica Grisswald was
sentenced to 16 to 48 months in prison, the maximum for criminally negligent homicide.
The outcome was criticized in the media with many viewing the kayak killer as receiving little more than a slap on the
wrist. Vincent's mother, Maryanne, was equally dissatisfied, stating, "Four years for taking someone's life. No way.
My son was a good man and everyone loved him." In a statement read by her legal council
outside the courthouse, Angelica said, "I loved Vince very much and miss him terribly. I don't believe I was treated
fairly. The entire process was one-sided and unjust. I've learned you're not innocent
until proven guilty. I'm not a murderer. I've said that from the beginning. If I could
bring Vince back, I would. With time served, Angelica was released on parole in December 2017 after
spending 32 months in prison. In an interview with 2020, she explained that she took the plea deal to
avoid a life sentence for a crime she didn't commit. Despite her plea, Angelica said
she didn't feel guilty. I have to let it go, she said. I can't live with that all the time. They
can say whatever they want. I know the truth and God knows the truth. Angelica intended to use
Vincent's life insurance payout to pay for her legal fees, but Vincent's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against
her to prevent her from collecting the money. The case was settled confidentially. Vincent's family
maintained their belief that Angelica was responsible for his death with his mother Maryanne vowing never to see her
again. Vincent's sister said, "When I think of my brother's last moments, I imagine him
struggling to survive in the freezing cold, confused and unable to understand why the woman who said she loved him did
nothing to help." Although Vincent's family felt that justice hadn't been served, they
vowed to keep Vincent's spirit alive by living their lives with the same boundless joy that he did.
Vincent's sister said, "The world has lost a truly amazing person, and we can never get him
back." While public opinion remains divided over whether Vincent's death was an accident or intentional, Angelica
told L magazine that through her growing faith, she no longer cares what others think.
Bottom line, I'm the only living person who's still here, and I am the only one who knows. She said, "Vincent loved me.
I loved him. He had said he would die for me if need be, and I feel like he did so I could live. He saved me in a
way." Angelica explained that although she was willing to drown to save Vincent, it was
he who urged her to call 911. The dispatcher had then instructed Angelica to paddle toward the shore
where an emergency vehicle had just arrived instead of continuing her efforts to rescue Vincent and risk her
own life. I've been in these situations on the Hudson before where it was dangerous and
I always got out of it. So I felt like at that night I could too. She said, "You know how you get careless? I
was careless. So was he. We both were. It cost him. It cost him his life." Angelica's supporters have compared her
case to that of Amanda Knox, who was accused of murdering Meredith Kercher, as detailed in episode 270 of Case File.
While Vincent's case lacked the same gruesome sexualized violence as Meredith's, both involved women accused
of murder who were heavily scrutinized and judged based on their unconventional emotional responses, body language,
personality traits, and cultural differences. L magazine explored why such cases
capture public attention with their article stating, "When women stand accused in
the death of a loved one, stereotypes about how they should act intervene. Alleged female criminals
receive more gender-based media coverage than their male counterparts, fueling the news cycle, poisoning public opinion
and making it harder to find impartial juries. As a result, women are often judged for
two crimes. Whether they committed the alleged crime and whether they failed in their traditional caregiving
role. Since Vincent's death, Angelica has largely kept a low profile, speaking about the aftermath of the controversial
case in only a few interviews. She says that she continues to kayak and has even returned to Banaman's Island,
describing it as a way of confronting her fear and completing the circle. In August 2015, 4 months after
Vincent Vapor's death, 32-year-old photographer and model Ian Jones and his 22-year-old girlfriend Tarly Lennox
Frooman attended a night-long birthday party at a Hudson River waterfront mansion. The couple, who had been
together for 2 years and considered each other their perfect match, were planning
to wed. The morning after the party, they decided to go for a romantic kayak trip
together. The couple climbed into a two-seater kayak and headed toward a distant
lighthouse. Ian, a strong swimmer with experience in kayaking, considered the trip low
risk. It was summertime, the water was calm, and Ian was doing all the paddling.
Neither he nor Tarly wore life jackets. During their journey, the kayak was caught in a current in the middle of
the river and capsized. Neither Ian nor Tarly fully understood the deceptive danger of the
river. The current moving at 4 mph swept Ian away. 2 days later, his body was found
near the Pikipsy Yach Club. Tarly, who was picked up by a passing boat, later said that Ian died trying to
save her. She was an emotional wreck after the experience, posting a heartfelt tribute on social
media. My heart is shattered. My best friend, my soulmate, my partner in crime and creativity, the love and light of my
life, is no longer with me. Ian Jones's death was immediately considered a tragic
accident. No foul play was suspected and the matter wasn't investigated further by
police. Meanwhile, Angelica Grwald remained in prison awaiting trial for the murder of Vincent Vapor.
[Music] [Music]

When 46-year-old Vincent Viafore disappeared while kayaking on the Hudson River with his fiancée, 35-year-old Angelika Graswald, it was initially believed to be a tragic accident. However, Angelika’s story and behaviour soon raised troubling questions about what really happened.

CREDITS Narration – Anonymous Host Research & writing – Milly Raso Creative direction – Milly Raso Production & music – Mike Migas Audio editing – Anthony Telfer

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Brief Summary

Angelica Grwald's kayaking trip with fiancé Vincent Vapor ends in tragedy, leading to his death and her controversial murder charge.

Key points

A Distressing Call for Help. At 7:40 p.m. on April 19, 2015, Angelica calls 911, frantic as her fiancé Vincent is in the water. "He's going to drown. Please call somebody."
The Search for Vincent. As news of Vincent's disappearance spreads, family and friends rush to the shoreline to help search for him. Adverse weather conditions hinder their efforts.
Angelica's Controversial Behavior. In the wake of Vincent's disappearance, Angelica's seemingly carefree actions draw criticism from friends and the community. Some question her emotional response to the tragedy.
Conflicting Accounts. Angelica's story about Vincent's kayak and her actions raises suspicions among investigators.
The Missing Drain Plug. Angelica reveals she removed the drain plug from Vincent's kayak, leading to his drowning.
Angelica's Alarming Confession. During an intense interrogation, Angelica admits to wanting Vincent dead, shocking detectives.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

What are you talking about? You're going to make it, of course.

Angelica's attempt to reassure Vincent as he struggles in the water.

11:19WatchMay 31, 2025

Tension

85/ 100High tension

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