January 14, 2026 BROOKLYN — The screams of a daughter finding her mother’s body shattered the Tuesday night silence on Throop Avenue, marking the end of a life that spanned nearly a century and leaving a community paralyzed by grief and disbelief.

A Life of Faith Ended by Violence

Julia Boomer, 85, was a fixture of the Bedford-Stuyvesant community. Neighbors describe her as a woman of deep faith—a lifelong resident who spent her Sundays at church and her days being a "pleasant" presence on the block she called home for decades.

But just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday, that long life of service and kindness was met with a violent, bloody end.

The Discovery

Police report that Boomer was found inside her home suffering from multiple stab wounds. It was her own daughter who made the gruesome discovery. First responders rushed the elderly woman to a nearby hospital in critical condition, but the injuries were too severe. Julia Boomer was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

A Relative in Handcuffs

While the NYPD has blocked off the street with crime scene tape, the investigation has already taken a dark, personal turn.

Authorities confirmed to the press that a relative of the victim is currently in police custody. While charges have not yet been formally filed, the relative is being interrogated by detectives to determine what could have possibly driven someone to attack a defenseless grandmother in her own sanctuary.

A Neighborhood in Mourning

"She lived here her whole life," one local resident told reporters, shaking his head at the yellow tape fluttering in the wind. "She was a good woman. She went to church. You don't expect this to happen to someone like Julia."

As the NYPD continues to comb the Throop Avenue home for evidence, a heavy cloud hangs over Bed-Stuy. The tragedy serves as a haunting reminder that sometimes, the greatest dangers are found behind closed doors.

Do you have information about this case? The NYPD is urging anyone with tips to come forward immediately.