The decomposing body of a dental hygienist was found in November by Iona University staff in her New Rochelle home.
Police were called to 47-year-old Karen Sackett's home nine times before her death, News 12 Westchester originally reported.
Iona University owns the home and was in the process of evicting her, according to documents cited by the local outlet.
Sackett lived there with her ex-boyfriend, who was employed by the university and who Sackett's family alleges was abusive.
“They were having problems and she wanted to get away from him,” Sackett's brother, Chris Sackett, told the newspaper in November.
The couple had a tumultuous relationship, with officers having to visit their home nine times between 2017 and 2023 to conduct welfare checks and settle alleged domestic violence, according to documents cited by Fox News.
On July 12, 2018, Sackett called police to report she was having chest pain and shortness of breath “because her boyfriend had assaulted her,” according to one of the documents.
She later told officers at the scene in a “very low voice” that she was calling because she needed a “detox” from her boyfriend, who was not identified by police and was not charged because Sackett was “completely uncooperative.”
Karen Sackett was found dead by Iona University officials on Nov. 4 in her university-owned New Rochelle home. Sackett is pictured with her dog, Chloe, who died days after her
Sackett, 47, lived in this house for years with her allegedly abusive ex-boyfriend
Her ex-boyfriend, who has not been identified or named as a suspect in Sackett's death, worked at Iona University (pictured)
Recent 911 call logs reviewed by Fox showed two welfare checks on September 25 and 26, just days before she was found dead.
New Rochelle police remain confident Sackett died of natural causes, although they are awaiting a full toxicology report from the medical examiner.
They also say the ex-boyfriend was out of state for months before her death, despite his personal belongings still being in the home. They came to this conclusion after reviewing surveillance footage.
Her family remains skeptical of this explanation, especially since they were informed of Sackett's death by her ex-boyfriend. He also allegedly was the one who called university officials to conduct a welfare check.
Sackett's brother-in-law, Rick Diaz, said she died after suffering severe digestive problems, even though the medical examiner said she was healthy.
“Whatever caused her grief, it started downstairs and went through the house, up the stairs, to the bathroom, to the bedroom,” Diaz said. “This is someone who was mobile and conscious.”
In Sackett's obituary, her family remembered her for her “warmth, laughter and compassion” and how dedicated she was to her career as a dental hygienist.
Sackett died on Nov. 1, according to the obituary, three days before her body was discovered in her home
“She enjoyed making others feel comfortable and was deeply committed to her work, often brightening her patients' days with her welcoming smile,” the obituary said.
It continued: “Outside of work, Karen was a vibrant soul with many passions. She had an impeccable sense of style and loved fashion, always bringing her own unique flair wherever she went.
'Karen had a natural eye for photography, capturing the beauty of everyday moments and transforming them into cherished memories. Most of all, she adored her family and had a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews, who brought her endless joy.”
Her obituary noted that her dog, Chloe, died days after her, giving the family comfort that “they might be reunited again.”
According to the obituary, she died on November 1, three days before her body was discovered in her home.
