David Daniel: 54-Year-Old Landlord, Allegedly Takes Lives of Three Tenants in Queens Home Over Unpaid Rent

In a shocking turn of events, David Daniel, a 54-year-old landlord, walked into the 113th Precinct stationhouse on Tuesday and confessed to the brutal murder of his girlfriend and two tenants. The motive behind the horrific crime was revealed to be a dispute over unpaid rent.

According to officials from the New York Police Department (NYPD), Daniel arrived at the stationhouse at approximately 7:15 a.m., visibly distressed and stating that he was “having issues” with his tenants who had fallen behind on their rent payments. He allegedly admitted, “I did something bad.” The seriousness of the situation prompted a lieutenant to activate his body-worn camera, capturing the interaction for evidence.

In a press conference held later in the day, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny recounted the chilling details of Daniel’s confession. The suspect calmly disclosed that he had killed three people before providing officers with the address of his residence on Millburn Street, located in the peaceful St. Albans neighborhood.

Police officers rushed to the scene and made the gruesome discovery. The lifeless body of Daniel’s girlfriend was found in an upstairs bedroom, while the two tenants—a man and a woman—were discovered together in a basement bedroom, both lying face-up. The victims’ identities and ages have not been released as authorities work to notify their families about the tragic events.

During his confession, Daniel informed police that the dispute over unpaid rent had escalated. He revealed that he had problems with his girlfriend and alleged that the basement occupants had been neglecting their financial responsibilities. The exact duration of the tenants’ residency in the property and the extent of their rental arrears remain unclear.

Remarkably, Daniel appeared composed and unaffected by his actions when he arrived at the station house, according to Chief Kenny. Describing his demeanor as “very matter of fact,” Kenny stated that Daniel seemed more interested in telling his story than concealing his crimes.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities executing search warrants and notifying the victims’ families. Daniel, who has no prior criminal record, was promptly arrested and now faces charges of murder. As of now, the murder weapon has not been recovered, raising additional questions for investigators.

As the investigation progresses, the community mourns the loss of three lives and grapples with the shocking brutality that unfolded within their neighborhood.